[extropy-chat] The Simulation Argument (was: Atheists launchinquisition...)

[Eugen Leitl]

On Thu, Dec 02, 2004 at 01:11:59PM -0600, Kevin Freels wrote:

> Of course, if we develop the ability to run such sims, what kind of strain
> does that put on those who are running our sim? After a period of time, you

Are you assuming the sim is run in this universe? If yes, the strain is very
well known; it's the domain of physics of computation. Brute force and
complexity are tradeoffs, but you certainly can't increase complexity beyond
a point (relativistic lag vs. cell concentration/volume). Assuming, you could
increase complexity without introducing bugs, of course.

> would end up with infinite sims within sims as each one develops this
> ability.

Sure, and if I was a green-haired wombat I'd never have halitosis.

Jeez. People, this isn't philosophy. Technology has constraints, and in
evolutionary scenarios, costs. This Pearly Gates here are *expensive*.

-- 
Eugen* Leitl <a href="http://leitl.org">leitl</a>
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