[extropy-chat] Analyzing the simulation argument

[Dan Clemmensen]

Mike Lorrey wrote:

>--- Dirk Bruere <dirk at neopax.com> wrote:
>  
>
>>It could be done by a superficial sim at the molecular level for only
>>the parts of the universe that we can observe at the molecular level.
>>That would require very little in the way of computational
>>requirements compared to a Planck level sim of an entire universe.
>>    
>>
>
>The entanglement problem doesn't let you work that way. You have to sim
>it all. Inertia alone is proof of that, being caused by the
>gravitational influence of all the other matter in the universe going
>forward in time then back to the moment you push on a mass... If it
>were merely some code faking inertia, there would be servere
>repercussions in our astronomical observations.
>
>  
>
What do you mean by "we", kimo sabe?

If you believe you are in a sim, why do you think the sim includes 
anything but yourself and your perceptions? By what criteria can you 
distinguish between a sim that encapsulates just yourself, and a sim 
that includes any particular larger "universe"?

For example, you mention "inertia," "gravitational influence," "other 
matter in the universe," and "astronomical observations." If you are the 
only object int he sim, then all of these concepts are amenable to 
direct manipulation. How can you select a point on the sim continuum?

At one end of the continuum, The entire universe is being simulated. All 
of us are emergent consequences of the laws of the simulated universe. 
At the other end of the continuum, your current state is the only thing 
being simulated. it was constructed one microsecond ago, it embodies 
only the current microsecond of your existence, and it will terminate 
one microsecond from now. How do you choose?

For myself, the question is intrinsically undecidable, and all points on 
the simulation continuum are indistinguishable from the no-sim 
hypothesis. I therefore choose to treat the simulation hypothesis as a 
non-starter, except as a basis for harassing fellow extropians.