Constraints on the Universe as a Numerical Simulation (2012)
Even if we live inside a simulation inside a simulation inside a simulation, ultimately there is a base reality that influences the design of the simulations contained within it, and can impinge upon the simulations at any time. Infinite regression doesn&#x27;t work here - using the term &quot;simulation&quot; implies some special pleading when moving from the outermost simulation to the base reality. If you want to regress forever, then there is no qualitative difference between layers of reality and the word &quot;simulation&quot; is meaningless.<p>We live in the base reality. All a simulation could do is obscure complexity.<p>Interestingly this isn&#x27;t a new idea. The gnostics of the first two centuries BCE had a theology of this, in which a flawed world, in which humans lived, was created by an imperfect creator called the demiurge. There was a perfect realm beyond this world with an intercessor named Sophia (wisdom) who would rescue us from our flawed world, the simulation created by the demiurge.