Consider this hypothetical situation: Developments in computer power, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence enable the creation of self-aware beings whose “world” is, from our perspective, a programmed simulation. If a self-aware Super Mario began to analyze the laws of his world, he would find very little symmetry or productivity.
物理学定律不一定具有如此非凡的性质，认识到这一点很重要。考虑以下假想情形：计算机能力、虚拟现实和人工智能的发展让我们得以创造出一种有自我意识的物种，它们的“世界”在我们看来是一种编程仿真。如果有自我意识的超级马里奥开始分析他的世界的定律，他不会发现多少对称性和生产力。相反，我们会发现大量联系松散的古怪规则，它们反映出编程者的奇思妙想。