[ExI] A Simulation Argument

Ian Goddard iamgoddard at yahoo.com
Wed Jan 9 03:44:03 UTC 2008


John K Clark wrote:

> why those Godlike simulation nerds chose the 
> idea of quantum mechanics for our simulation to 
> operate in. Why not Newtonian physics, or 
> Aristotelian physics, or Harry Potter physics? 


 The theory I posted proposes an answer.
Observation-induced wave collapse is a process
utilized in the visual rendering of computer-generated
virtual realities (VRs). In computer graphics it's
known as 'occlusion culling', though I like the term
'on-call rendering'. Rendering the raw data for an
object into a visible representation of the object
taxes finite system resources. So if you're panning
your VR eyes around a VR landscape producing views on
your computer screen of selected portions of the whole
VR model, all objects outside the viewing screen are
not rendered. Only if an object can be observed are
its properties made discrete, or localized.

 So suppose our universe is computer generated, why
would its design bother devoting finite system
resources to rendering / computing all positions of
all subatomic particles that will not fall under
observation? So in this theory, the observer-induced
wave collapse is on-call rendering. This view does not
try to 'rid' us of the observer effect, as you note
MWI intends to, but instead embraces and explains it
within a classical-physics universe. While the truth
of simulationism may be unknowable, it's a fun idea to
drive around the block, so to say, and in my view much
less drastic than MWI. ~Ian


http://IanGoddard.net

"What is 'real'? How do you define 'real'? If you are
talking about what you feel, smell, taste, and see,
then 'real' is merely electrical signals interpreted
by your brain." - Morpheus


 


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