Reducing the cost of simulating the universe

The universe is vast and the cost of simulating such a large system is incomprehensively high. Quantum mechanics may be providing a clue how this could be done at a fraction of the cost. It has been assumed that macro structures, such as planets, stars and galaxies, exist but if they materialize only when observed, they don’t have to really exist all the time. Humans, with very limited observational capabilities, measure a miniscule part of the universe at any point in time. And even if there are other entities across the universe who are capable of observing and measuring, the scope of such measurements is still only a fraction of what is assumed to exist.

The near flatness of the universe that led both Newton and Eistein to assume the universe is infinite is likely another trick played by the simulator. In a flat universe, observations will hit only a very small part of the spectrum, allowing the simulator to present tangible objects when observed. This means that the universe that is assumed to exist, is not there but is driven by an underlying superposition mechanism that can present objects only when observed. By constraining the speed of light, the simulator may have given sufficient flexibility to the underlying presentation mechanism to scale as necessary within the predicted measurement horizon.

It is likely that the universe does not exist as perceived by its inhabitants. Rather, it is in superposition, allowing objects to be presented only when observed. More cynically, the simulation may end if an observer’s capabilities scale beyond what was expected originally.