What we seem to forget when we discuss the impossibility of creating a simulation that would duplicate every possible atom in the universe at every point in time is that reality itself may be a simulation. Without dwelving too deeply in the spiritual connotations surrounding this contrversial subject, I would like to note that the perceived physical universe could be an imperfect mirror of a perfect object (re: Plato's Allegory of the Cave).
The fact the laws of physics are fundamentally different at the quantum level might give credence to the theory that the perceived reality is a collective abstraction that has little resemblance with the fundamental processes of nature. We continue interpret the universe anthropomorphically, even though the current scientific methods postulate a deeper understanding of matter which goes beyond our ability to interpret it directly. In fact, no matter how advanced our scietific postulates might be our understanding of the universe is confined to the limitations of human understanding.
Beyond Baudrillard's concept of simulacra, I dare say the science created by humans is just an effect of our collective construction of reality. It is logically possible to assume that the "real" universe is infinitely more complex, more deep in meaning and substance, than the human mind would ever be able to comprehend. Given this postulate, we could theoretically be able to construct a simulation of the universe that duplicates every single atom, every single subatomic process at every moment in time. This would occur, of course, without the need for the subterfuge of mapping only what is seen by an observer (which was also suggested on this board as in inference from the computation methods used in some computer games).
Now, even if we assume that human mind could interpret the entire span and depth of the universe, there is always the possibility of transcending physical space. I'm not (necessarily) making reference to Eastern philosophy, but to established theories in modern physics that argue the possibility for parallel universes. Within this framework we could easily duplicate any given universe by using the resources available in a multitude of other universes.
The end of Matrix 2 showed that Neo could manifest control over the "real" world when he stopped the sentinels. I am intrgued by the idea that the "real" world is just another simulation among an infinite progression of simulations, some which might have been spontaneously generated through natural processes...
Slashdot Mirror
What we seem to forget when we discuss the impossibility of creating a simulation that would duplicate every possible atom in the universe at every point in time is that reality itself may be a simulation. Without dwelving too deeply in the spiritual connotations surrounding this contrversial subject, I would like to note that the perceived physical universe could be an imperfect mirror of a perfect object (re: Plato's Allegory of the Cave).
The fact the laws of physics are fundamentally different at the quantum level might give credence to the theory that the perceived reality is a collective abstraction that has little resemblance with the fundamental processes of nature. We continue interpret the universe anthropomorphically, even though the current scientific methods postulate a deeper understanding of matter which goes beyond our ability to interpret it directly. In fact, no matter how advanced our scietific postulates might be our understanding of the universe is confined to the limitations of human understanding.
Beyond Baudrillard's concept of simulacra, I dare say the science created by humans is just an effect of our collective construction of reality. It is logically possible to assume that the "real" universe is infinitely more complex, more deep in meaning and substance, than the human mind would ever be able to comprehend. Given this postulate, we could theoretically be able to construct a simulation of the universe that duplicates every single atom, every single subatomic process at every moment in time. This would occur, of course, without the need for the subterfuge of mapping only what is seen by an observer (which was also suggested on this board as in inference from the computation methods used in some computer games).
Now, even if we assume that human mind could interpret the entire span and depth of the universe, there is always the possibility of transcending physical space. I'm not (necessarily) making reference to Eastern philosophy, but to established theories in modern physics that argue the possibility for parallel universes. Within this framework we could easily duplicate any given universe by using the resources available in a multitude of other universes.
The end of Matrix 2 showed that Neo could manifest control over the "real" world when he stopped the sentinels. I am intrgued by the idea that the "real" world is just another simulation among an infinite progression of simulations, some which might have been spontaneously generated through natural processes...
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