Simulation Hypothesis: How Will Touch Occur?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the simulation hypothesis, specifically focusing on how touch would occur within a simulated environment. Participants explore the implications of this hypothesis in relation to physical interactions, drawing parallels to computer game mechanics and the nature of reality.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question how touch would manifest in a simulation, suggesting it might resemble collision events in computer games.
  • Others argue that the simulation hypothesis lacks scientific grounding, citing that it is not defined by popular figures like Elon Musk or Neil Tyson.
  • There are claims that the inability to distinguish between a simulated universe and a real one does not serve as an argument for the simulation hypothesis itself.
  • One participant posits that if the universe were a simulation, the very atoms involved in touch would also be simulated, leading to numerous collision events occurring constantly.
  • Another participant critiques the logic behind the simulation hypothesis, stating it relies on several assumptions about advanced civilizations and the nature of reality.
  • Some humor is introduced regarding the nature of the simulation, comparing it to operating systems like Windows or Apple, suggesting a playful take on the implications of being in a simulation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of skepticism and curiosity regarding the simulation hypothesis, with no consensus reached on its validity or implications for touch and physical interactions.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the speculative nature of the simulation hypothesis and the assumptions involved in discussing its implications, particularly regarding the motivations and capabilities of hypothetical advanced civilizations.

John2000
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If the simulation hypothesis is really correct, then how will the touch occur (the person touches the other person)? How will the whole process go? In modern physics, it is simply the interaction of atoms.
 
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John2000 said:
If the simulation hypothesis is really correct, then ...
... it's not science.
 
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in simulation theory, will the touch be similar to a collision in computer games?
PeroK said:
... it's not science.
 
John2000 said:
in simulation theory, will the touch be similar to a collision in computer games?
Elon Musk said the universe is simulation. It's true?
 
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Science is not defined by "it's what Elon Musk said".
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
Science is not defined by "it's what Elon Musk said".
but Neil Tyson also argued that our universe could be a simulation.
 
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I think the arguments are that it isn't possible to tell if it's a simulations, they are not arguments for a simulation.

Cheers
 
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cosmik debris said:
I think the arguments are that it isn't possible to tell if it's a simulations, they are not arguments for a simulation.

Cheers

That said, if we're running on Windows, you'd imagine we would have experienced a reboot before now!
 
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John2000 said:
in simulation theory, will the touch be similar to a collision in computer games?
You need to think bigger. Or smaller, as it were.

In such a simulation, the very atoms would be simulated - including the atoms of air between you and the person you have not touched yet. Touching another person is the same kind of collision event as simply being in an atmosphere. You're experiencing countless trillions of collision events every microsecond.

Does that make it more clear how haptic (touch) sense would be simulated?
 
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John2000 said:
but Neil Tyson also argued that our universe could be a simulation.

You are engaging in an appeal to a perceived authority here. Both Tyson and especially Musk are known for hyperbolic speculation, however neither of these guys have had any insight into the Simulation Hypothesis. They are just copypasting the work of Nick Boström from 2002. The Simulation Hypothesis is stoner speculation. Sure, we've not yet discovered anything in the universe that is not computable, therefore one can extrapolate that one could maybe simulate a realistic physical universe. This however makes several assumptions: 1) That there'd be a motive for an EXTREMELY advanced Civilization to do such a thing 2) That it's physically possible and 3) That you are in one. It's lazy logic.
 
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Quanundrum said:
Sure, we've not yet discovered anything in the universe that is not computable, therefore one can extrapolate that one could maybe simulate a realistic physical universe. This however makes several assumptions: 1) That there'd be a motive for an EXTREMELY advanced Civilization to do such a thing 2) That it's physically possible and 3) That you are in one. It's lazy logic.
Indeed. It is no more or less plausible than "God made the universe and keeps it ticking".
 
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PeroK said:
That said, if we're running on Windows, you'd imagine we would have experienced a reboot before now!
Good call!
And things in our world are getting more superficial and more expensive all the time.
Which hints at we're running on an Apple computer. :smile:
 
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