On the past few months, I’ve been questioning myself about the Simulation Hypothesis. But what is this theory? Basically, it supports that what we know as reality is a computer simulation.
Fortunately, this is just a theory and the physics of the universe as we know them today discredit it.
Well, this is assuming that this universe simulation had to constantly run trillions and trillions of atoms that compose the entire reality as we know today, but what if it only needed to simulate what’s observable to the human eye?
In fact, it’s only necessary to simulate the environment which can be explored by the subjects.
All the microscopic world could be instantly created when they observe it. Even what appears to be solid, i.e. a chair, can be empty inside, which means that until they decide to break it or check it’s interior, it can be a projection of the outer layer.
The minimum requirement for the simulation is the consciousness of the creations, making them believe that it’s “real”.
The most important question is, are we living on a simulation?
For this to happen there are a few conditions that need to be achieved. Based on Nick Bostrom arguments, one the people who have been developing this theory, there are five factors that need to be verified to confirm whether we live in a simulation or not.
1.The possibility to simulate consciousness
First of all we need to define what consciousness is, but since this isn’t the main focus, let’s assume that by simulating a brain, you are automatically generating consciousness.
A brain is a complex tool, and simulating one implies a machine that can perform a high number of operations simultaneously.
But one brain isn’t enough, it is necessary to simulate the entire humanity, which means that to prove the initial statement, a computer that can handle 3e+40 operations per second has to exist.
2.Technological progress won’t stop
Nowadays it’s impossible to create a computer powerful enough as mention before, but if technology keeps evolving as it has been so far, it is possible that a supercomputer already exists.
If there are advanced civilisations, in another part of the universe, they can have something similar to a Matrioshka Brain. A theoretical megastructure that could be orbiting a star and generate energy through its radiation.
This supercomputer would have enough power to run the number of operations necessary. This kind of technology could be easily achieved and optimised by those civilisations, in case they exist
3.Advanced civilisations don’t destroy themselves
If this isn’t true, then this is end of the argument.
In order to achieve this, Great Filters need to be overcome, such as nuclear wars, steroids or even a black hole generator.
If life is self-destructive, then there are no advanced civilisations. Assuming that we know what life really is.
4.Advanced civilisations want to run simulation
One thing is true, we still don’t know who or what is responsible for the creation of our reality. But some commonly name it as God.
It’s arrogant to assume what post human beings want, but if statement 1, 2 and 3 are true, then it’s possible that these civilisations run simulations just for the sake of fun or science.
We aren’t the much different, the game Sims was invented because it’s enjoyable to manipulate virtual beings and simulate their life. Interesting, I know.
Maybe for us it makes no sense to simulate humanities. But look at it this way: to our ancestors it would also be nonsense to play Sims, even though for us it’s completely normal to play computer games.
5.If there are a lot of simulations, then we probably are in one
If there are simulated civilisations, then probably there isn’t just one, but maybe a lot of them.
After all, it’s assumed that unlimited computing power exists, which means that for every real conscious beings out there, there are billions of generated ones. So in this scenario, the probability of being simulated is quite high.
Of course this is all theoretical and based on a lot of assumptions.
Despite that, it still is a good hypothesis to think about, since it makes us re-think our perception of reality.
We may actually be just a floating rock traveling in nothingness, being not necessary to was time finding bugs in our simulation.
Our existence doesn’t become insignificant because of this theory, but until we can’t prove it, all we can do is hope the best and that no one trips over the power cable.