A simulation doesn&#x27;t mean that there is a simulator - just that what we consider real may be a projection of something else. As you say, the holographic universe principle can equally answer this.<p>That said, the simulation argument strongly pushes in favour of a simulated reality - particularly when you consider that there is no need for it to be real time, or of the entire universe. In short if we ever gain the capability to accurately simulate a small corner of the universe, then it stands to reason that someone further up the hylaean flow (apologies to Stephenson) also has.<p>Hell, maybe the rotation of distant galaxies is off because they&#x27;re just sprites ;)