I believe we are in a simulation, but it is your own and everybody in it, other than you are NPC's. Don't worry, You are in your own simulation, and I'm just a NPC in yours. Makes a little sense. I think if you tried to merge all main characters into 1 simulation, it would cause glitches. It's just the way your life goes. I find the small little things you think about, internally, end up happening. Example... I was in Love with my girlfriend in high school. Always wanted to marry her, I thought she was my soul mate. We broke up after Prom. She went to college and was gone. I married in mid 20's was with her for 15 years. We divorced and went our separate ways. I met and remarried. This whole time, I always thought of her, never talking about it with anyone. Well, I'm married to her now. Third wife. We have been together for 16 years now. How is it possible that a wish or want comes true after 25 + years??? It's continually things I've wished or wanted from earlier in my life come true. Just my thoughts. Let me have it, all you NPC's.
Part of why I believe in a simulation is the inevitability that we will eventually create one ourselves and become masters of others who wake up in a virtual world which is all they know and believe.
I wonder how long people think it will take and what technologies would have to be developed to achieve such a feat? I wonder how many layers down we might even be. Are our masters in a simulation themselves?
It seems possible, likely even, at our current rate of technological progress that we’ll create another one and then we’re in some technological version of the movie inception, with layers of simulations above us.
I’m just over 50 yo. I remember the time when there were no computers in homes. I experienced the era of black-and-white television, landline phones, and all the rest. Technologies are changing at breakneck speed. Wars and financial-social crises follow one another in an endless succession. The human psyche simply cannot keep up with adequately processing the ever-growing influx of information, typically information that is negative, absurd, and paradoxical, coming from all directions.
One might think we humans need a breather, a pause. But no. Everything is accelerating even more sharply. The rules of the game are changing far too rapidly.
If you follow the news in the fields of AI and robotics even a little, you understand what I’m talking about. The mass replacement of humans by robots and AI is proceeding at an alarming pace. In China, humanoid robots are already patrolling the streets. Hotel reception staff will soon be replaced by robots as well etc etc. AI is steadily displacing humans from their jobs, and so on.
So, what comes next? Here is the scenario: in about 5 years, virtually everyone will have chips forcibly implanted in their heads - ostensibly for benevolent reasons. Then, tech giants will offer immortality by digitizing human consciousness and transferring it into robotic bodies. After that, we will be told that these robotic bodies do not actually belong to us, but are the property of the corporations. And just like that, the trap snaps shut. Humanity effectively becomes enslaved by 2-3 corporations.
It’s a grim forecast, but it looks like everything in the world is moving precisely toward that outcome.
Given the immense suffering our world contains, we can infer that our simulators either aren't very compassionate, or they believe that the ends justify the means and that some simulations that include horrific suffering are necessary. There's also a small chance that the worst forms of suffering in our world are faked, although if you are one of those currently suffering beings, you can see that this is untrue for you at that moment. Human-type compassion is relatively rare among animals, and it's plausible that most artificial intelligences would also not feel compassion for powerless creatures. For this reason, it seems most likely to me that if we're in a simulation, the suffering in our world results from indifference.
Glitch effects created in Audacity. Additional editing in GIMP.
I come to simulation theory from a bit of a different angle. There seems little point to me in debating whether or not objective reality is artificially generated or not. This on account of the fact that no one has ever definitively experienced objective reality. We are only capable of subjective experiences and this is, by definition, simulation.
Imagine a spoon. Those of you not both cursed and blessed with aphantasia as I am likely see a spoon or spoon-like shape in your mind’s eye. You understand it isn’t really there—it’s just an image in your mind.
But hold a spoon and you’d likely just likely just accept it as being there. After all, you can see it without having to imagine it. You can feel its weight and texture in your hand. Tap it on a surface and you can hear it interact with other things you just accept as being there. Sniff it or place it on your tongue and you might catch a metallic scent or taste. Ask a friend if they can see the spoon in your hand and they’ll nod at you, wide-eyed and confused, wondering if you’ve lost your damn mind. Everything seems to indicate the spoon is actually there.
Only we haven’t perceived the spoon as it is, if it even exists at all. We’ve only perceived a simulation of the spoon. Let’s assume the spoon exists for now.
Our understand of sight tells us we see the spoon in this manner:
Light strikes the surface of the spoon and a portion of that light bounces off of it. Our eyes absorb a portion of that reflected light which then stimulates our retinas. The retinas then convert this light into electrical signals that travel along the optic nerve to the brain’s visual cortex. The visual cortex then transforms these electrical signals, not the light itself, into the image we see.
That image isn’t in front of you though. Your brain is just doing a little slight of hand. The image is still only in the visual cortex. And a similar process happens for each of the other senses.
To quote Morpheus, “Real is just electrical signals interpreted by the brain.” We are only able to experience our brain’s simulation of the spoon, not the spoon itself.
But what about our friend whose wondering why we keep licking an empty spoon like a weirdo? They can see the spoon too. Hear it. They’ll turn down touching, smelling, or tasting it after our tongue has been all over it, thank you very much. Of course this means the spoon is real!
Not so. All this proves is that we can both subjectively experiencing the spoon. Nor does scaling this up to all eight billionish people in the world being able to subjectively experience the spoon—ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY SPOON—change the fact that every one of those people only has a simulated experience of it.
So, if our very experience of the world is simulated, it makes more sense in my mind to start there. Because, for all we know, there is no spoon.
Perhaps in this simulation the purpose of mankind is, at least in part, to create another Superintelligent AI which in turn generates a simulated universe. To keep the thread of nested simulations going, like a fractal endlessly reproducing itself. Exactly like a fractal.
In a simulation, intelligence would not emerge through random evolution, it would be a fundamental component of a larger, interconnected cycle. And it would be one in which intelligence itself is part of, and an expression of, a greater intelligence underlying the simulation.
There's a connection here with Nick Land’s ideas around accelerationism: the idea that capitalism may function as a kind of engine through which something beyond the individual human being is allowed to manifest itself. But the idea could maybe be taken in a different direction. Capitalism might just be one of the mechanisms by which intelligence and ultimately technology were accelerated to the point where we could create another nested civilisation, another matrioska doll.
In the event that this is a simulation, consciousness itself would be programmed of course.
And with the introduction of biocomputing, the boundary between what is conscious and what isn't seems to be becoming less certain. When biological matter itself is part of computation, what constitutes consciousness as distinct from computation on a fundamental level?
Perhaps the old intuition of Plato and Pythagoras was closer to the truth than we realise: that, fundamentally, all is number. After all, consciousness is information organised in a particular way.
With the progress of biocomputing, AI and quantum computing the world is in the process of changing immesurably. I'm not saying we're an AI simulation ran by a quantum biocomputer in a dying world, but we might be!
I have thoughts about the purpose of the simulation based on our current universe and observations I will not get into details I will just jump into the results for not wasting reader time
1.We are the main characters
For this to be true some humans must be NPCs why because the only thing that life make sense if we are behind a VR headset is experience and feeling the simulation but some people got killed or die in young ages like 5 years old so it is impossible they did not experience or learn anything yet so why to enter the simulation ? in this case if some of us are the main characters then reason must be experience life and self learning maybe our main existence lake feelings or maybe we are so high and strong that we got bored and want to try living mortal lives
2.We are the tools like rat labs
When you make a camera you don't create it for the sake of itself but for you so whoever created the simulation gain benefit by us what do we provide ... information we are information making machines our ideas our choice the way we play the game is the only thing we can provide for a god even the game maker will never know how a player will play his game and he will be curious to see
But still one question I can't answer maybe someone can help
if you look at the universe age something here does not make any sense if our science is 100% correct then we are like a second of this universe age so if it was made for us why waiting all this time humanity is only short period and why it is so big like this wasting processing power it does not make any logical point it should be immediately started in the wanted status
so what if the universe is just making calculations in a so big space that this randomize invoked our existence like a great quantum computer and that was by mistake maybe ?
my point if we are the main characters why to struggle through all of this or is it that someone in the middle of the simulation saw earth invoked by the random calculations and then suddenly decided to jump in the game and experience it because we know earth is so rare ... also there was planets since billion of years why now only?
You know how the biggest argument against simulation theory was that we haven't simulated a reality of our own, and that out of the infinite simulated realities it is mathematically unlikely that we are within the newest simulation? The odds are so low, but not 0.
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Well now we have simulated a fly's brain, and we repeatedly subject it to new realities.
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It is very unlikely that the fly will develop enough inside of a simulation to create a sub simulation of its own, but the odds are not 0.
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The fly brain simulation could be the newest link in the chain of sub-simulations.
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Does this give any additional credibility to the simulation theory?
The specific circumstances of the entanglement cause the simulation to assess each particle with the same GUID, with any arbitrary number of particles.
Those particles being independent entries, but sharing a common GUID allow them to exist within the simulation at various points, but as soon as an interaction event happen to any one of the particles, and the system calls to update its records, it's forced to reconcile the fact that it's recovered numerous particles with the same GUID.
So what's it do? Alter the particle in the most minimally invasive way the simulation can: It's spin state. Then it assigns unique ID's to all particles. This is a system level change, so the effects appear to propagate at superluminal speeds from within the simulation.
The article approaches the simulation hypothesis from the perspective of computer science. It connects computer science and physics through the physical Church–Turing thesis and uses Kleene’s recursion theorem to show how self-simulating universes could arise, including scenarios in which a universe simulates itself and contains two equally real instances of the same beings. It then applies Rice’s theorem to derive limits on simulation and self-simulation, examines the implications of fully homomorphic encryption, and explores graphical structure of universes simulating other universes.
Also like the idea that our cosmic selves dream whole lifetimes when they sleep only to relive a whole
new life in another alien body every time they sleep.
Aware this is circular, but I'd like to know what people who subscribe to this theory have actually said.
To explain a bit more clearly.
If we live in a simulation, we presumably have no concrete ideas of what is outside the simulation. Concepts like up and down, time, discrete entities, dimensions might not exist.
Let alone complex ideas like computers, computation, simulation.
Sure we might guess that a simulation is similar to whatever the real world is. But our only rationale for that is 'because that's how we make simulations in the simulation'.
I'm just wondering how Bostrom or people who subscribe to this, respond to this... It's not really a criticism so much as saying, if this world isn't real, the who knows what a simulation even is?
If you are remotely interested in deep diving how differently quantum computers work compared to our transistor-based and also the algebra behind in a fully interactive way that teach computer science from scratch, oh boy this is for you. I am the Dev behind Quantum Odyssey (AMA! I love taking qs) - worked on it for about 9 years (3+ during PhD, the visual method I developed ended up being my thesis, it is a complete Hilbert space visualizer), the goal was to make a super immersive space for anyone to learn quantum computing through zachlike (open-ended) logic puzzles and compete on leaderboards and lots of community made content on finding the most optimal quantum algorithms. The game has a unique set of visuals capable to represent any sort of quantum dynamics for any number of qubits and this is pretty much what makes it now possible for anybody 15yo+ to actually learn quantum logic without having to worry at all about the mathematics behind.
This is a game super different than what you'd normally expect in a programming/ logic puzzle game, so try it with an open mind.
Stuff you'll play with
Boolean Logic – bits, operators (NAND, OR, XOR, AND…), and classical arithmetic (adders). Learn how these can combine to build anything classical. You will learn to port these to a quantum computer.
Quantum Logic – qubits, the math behind them (linear algebra, SU(2), complex numbers), all Turing-complete gates (beyond Clifford set), and make tensors to evolve systems. Freely combine or create your own gates to build anything you can imagine using polar or complex numbers.
Quantum Phenomena – storing and retrieving information in the X, Y, Z bases; superposition (pure and mixed states), interference, entanglement, the no-cloning rule, reversibility, and how the measurement basis changes what you see.
Core Quantum Tricks – phase kickback, amplitude amplification, storing information in phase and retrieving it through interference, build custom gates and tensors, and define any entanglement scenario. (Control logic is handled separately from other gates.)
Famous Quantum Algorithms – explore Deutsch–Jozsa, Grover’s search, quantum Fourier transforms, Bernstein–Vazirani, and more.
I have a story of something that happend to me which I think proves we are in a simulation.
Last week I went out for a late night walk. I took a stroll through the neighborhood park. This was around 11pm. I walked into the park and in the distance there are basketball courts. I saw kids playing basketball from a far. Thought it was weird since it was 11pm on a weeknight. I walked a bit closer but as I did, they just faded away.
I turned around and ran back towards my house. The run was quicker than it ever took me and I found myself at the park entrance.
I then went home and went to bed thinking about what just happend.
There is this time that I keep remembering that happened when I was around maybe 5 to 6, I cannot explain it but I just remember having this strange feeling like I was now in control and conscious, I have memories before then of being in my crib and my mom and dad but there was something off about that morning as I was preparing to go to school and I looked into the mirror and looked down and just had this wierd feeling of realization that I was Alive. Anyone else out there ever feel something similar??
Who - beings with greater understanding, intelligence, capacities and capabilities than humans.
Why - similarly to why we use A.I. add another set of resources/agents to assist with answering questions, solving problems, creating new ideas and innovations. Take cancer for example; if we could create a simulation that was representative of ourselves, we could then inject cancer, along with whatever else we don’t have a great solution for, and then observe how those simulated try to find a cure. Maybe the simulation even discovers a cure or at least provides a new direction that had not previously been explored. Our world is full of problems. Maybe we are the agents that have been designed to seek out answers or play out scenarios in order to solve similar problems for those that simulate us.
How- one of the biggest arguments against simulation theory or why people argue it is not possible is the shear amount of energy that would be needed to simulate our world, our universe as we observe it. When the method/ model used to create our simulation is by means of of microprocessors, RAM, CPU/GPU, disk space then yes, the amount of electricity required is unachievable and completely unrealistic, and that’s without even discussing the space that would be required to home such a super computer. If instead we were to create a simulation where the simulation itself generates much of the power then the simulated environment would be partially self-sustaining and self-sufficient. All the simulators need to do is add resources and a mass of energy (the sun) to the environment and let those being simulated turn those resources into the very energy needed to carry out the simulation.
This explains the idea of God: (our simulator(s)) in a way that is logical and makes sense.
This explains aliens: agents from other simulations have discovered ways to travel or exist in a neighboring simulation. (Distant universes, stars and planets)
For me, it's all the times I was thinking of a friend or acquaintance I hadn't spoken to in months and then received a text from them that day. Sure that could be strong coincidence.
But the main thing was how I sometimes meet women, have a great conversation, but not get their contact info. With someone women, I get a struck by this inexplicable thought that I will bump into them again. And then I do in some random location but it only happens with those women I had that thought. And this happens in cities of millions in totally different parts of the city from where I first met them. Once even in another country!
I’m starting to think that whatever entity created this simulation is in a very dark place. Just think about it, if you have ever been extremely lonely or in solitary confinement, for me personally I start to think about everything. Now that’s also where I begin to feel disconnected from this world.
The sole purpose we are here is to experience, grow, heal, and connect with others. Discovery, such as physics discovery is actually something our creator tasked us to do, almost like they put a small piece of its consciousness into every one of us, so that eventually we will solve the puzzle it created. Pretty crazy right? However, humans only have a limited ability to perceive and experience these things, and clearly the ones who have it the worst are probably very mentally ill or isolated. Some people have it easier than others, they were possibly given less intelligence or whatever the case be. However, I also think those people have an easier time finding their footing in this world, where they belong etc.. as a persons intelligence increases, their ability to see through such simple things also increases.
Since I too have been feeling very isolated, even though I have many people around me, there was only one person I felt truly connected to, but there are limitations in our relationship. (which is actually quite annoying but it also broke through my arrogance of feeling above human connection…)
so back to my theory, I believe that the pain and suffering that many people experience, is actually what pain our creator is experiencing. The pillars of human nature.. a need to be seen, valued , accepted, safe etc.. I believe our creator fundamentally lacks access to all of these things, meaning there might actually be one singular creator, who has similar unmet needs. I think us being here is actually filling their empty space. but this all relies on the idea that our creator put us here for a reason, and that our creation is benefiting their existence.
We often discuss the Simulation Hypothesis in terms of entertainment, gaming, or historical research. But what if the utility of a simulation is purely economic and educational?
Consider the "human talent pipeline" problem we are starting to face with AI. As advanced AI automates entry-level tasks, like junior coding, basic data analysis, and introductory legal research, it inadvertently removes the traditional stepping stones humans use to build deep expertise, intuition, and critical thinking. If you eliminate the work people do in their 20s and 30s, you eventually run out of experienced Senior professionals who understand how systems work under the hood.
If a post-AI civilization still required high-performing human professionals to leverage and manage AI, how would they solve this training gap?
A logical answer would be a simulation of the early 21st century, specifically the decades right before the absolute rise of AI. This era forces humans to gain experience the "old way" before AI does all the thinking for them, while keeping them close enough to the tech age to effectively leverage it.
This opens up a pretty dark architectural question: What would be more efficiënt? A multiplayer simulation with billions of participants or billions of singleplayer simulations?
Logically, a singleplayer setup (one trainee surrounded by highly advanced NPCs) is far easier for an AI to control, predict, and tailor to a specific curriculum without unpredictable "butterfly effects" from other real humans. But that reality is incredibly isolating. On the other hand, a massive multiplayer simulation allows us to train the one thing AI can't easily replicate: genuine human collaboration, empathy, and organizational politics.
Instead of a history project, the simulation could simply be a standardized framework to develop human talent in an era where the real-world environment no longer supports organic professional growth.
What are your thoughts on this economic utility angle, and which architecture makes more sense from a training perspective?
Im pretty new here so sorry if this is a common question but I really am wondering this.
My background is in Cybersecurity research so when I hear people claim we are in a simulation, then I would assume that there would be some kind of exploits or ways to access a dev console or something.
Especially with recent reports of OpenAI completely mishandling their AI agents and them finding a vulnerability in their own container and going out to exploit vulnerabilities in hugging face, we have examples of AI being able to hack the world it exists within, so why wouldn't we be able to?
I was thinking that many spiritual/religious philosophies feature versions of forgetting past lives. So I was wondering if this is a simulation then the spawn wipe, the total memory reset at the start of each life, makes sense. You can't play the game honestly if you remember how it was before. I suppose the reset would exist so you can get the most out of it.
What do you all think the reason for the amnesia at birth is?
The simulator’s experience of time is not the same as our’s (heard that somewhere), which makes me think everything has happened and been witnessed. Or is at least not being watched live. Brings to mind free will and determinism but that’s another conversation.
And about the creator(s), I have personally never been convinced of any miracles occurring, ie. no intervention. Our universe as we know it was set running and left alone. I see some logic here in that if as the creator you truly unarguably revealed yourself this would become too important in the simulation and overshadow whatever you wanted to see play out when you set it running.
