simulation hypothesis
Computed existence conjecture
The simulation hypothesis is the idea that our reality—including humans and the physical universe—might be an artificial simulation, perhaps a computer program run by an advanced civilization.
The concept gained philosophical traction through Nick Bostrom's 2003 paper arguing that at least one of three propositions must be true: civilizations destroy themselves before achieving such technology, advanced civilizations choose not to run simulations, or we are almost certainly living in one.
What if the simulation hypothesis is true and none of this is real?
What actually exists
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- existenceState of being real
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
solipsism · idealism · materialism · dualism · phenomenology · epistemology · cosmology · multiverse
Nineties cyberpunk franchise
- holodeckSimulated reality chamber
- WestworldSci-fi frontier resort
- TronEighties digital adventure film
- Ready Player OneVirtual reality quest
cyberpunk · science fiction · Philip K. Dick · red pill · glitch · NPCs
Processing data mathematically
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- programmingWriting software instructions
- softwarePrograms directing computer operations
- codeSymbolic communication system
virtual reality · artificial intelligence · quantum computing · machine learning · neural networks · rendering · information theory · bit
Lack of firm belief
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- unfalsifiableImpossible to prove wrong
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
empiricism · rationality · logical fallacy · burden of proof · Occam's razor · scientific method · debunking · questioning
reality
What actually exists
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- existenceState of being real
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
metaphysics · solipsism · idealism · materialism · dualism · phenomenology · epistemology · cosmology · multiverse · perception
Matrix
Nineties cyberpunk franchise
Ready Player One · cyberpunk · science fiction · Philip K. Dick · red pill · glitch · NPCs
computing
Processing data mathematically
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- programmingWriting software instructions
- softwarePrograms directing computer operations
code · virtual reality · artificial intelligence · quantum computing · machine learning · neural networks · rendering · information theory · bit
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- unfalsifiableImpossible to prove wrong
critique · empiricism · rationality · logical fallacy · burden of proof · Occam's razor · scientific method · debunking · questioning · scrutiny
- Virtual RealityVR headsets, VR, virtual reality, virtual world, virtual environment
- cosmic mysteriesdark matter, dark energy, black holes, Big Bang, cosmic inflation
- Fringe Sciencecold fusion, perpetual motion, alchemy, astrology, phrenology
simulation hypothesiswhat you see is what you get
No deception or concealment
simulation, hypothesis, simulate, simulated, simulating, simulator, simulators, simulations, simulacrum