[Audio]

[original_is_best]

M.E. 722-XII-29th
2-Lasai-4th

Assume for a moment that what we are experiencing is a simulation rather than reality. Does anyone have an idea on how to test for such a thing?

Comments

[original_is_best]

[Fortunate indeed. He'd had a momentary crisis. Realizing that if he was right, things might be near hopeless. He would become ill and die. The Empire would be crushed under a sea of daemons. The world would go dark.

But that was the sticking point. Near. As long as there was a chance - hell, even if there wasn't a chance he had to keep trying. He'd dusted himself off and he pressed forward, pretending very much like he hadn't nearly broken down.]

I'd never had reason to. However, given the experience both Regis Lucis Caelum and Noctis Lucis Caelum have had, and the absurdity of our situation, I feel it is an appropriate question to ask.

[iustaegis]

[ If she knew, she would commend him for pushing onward. It's the only way to go.

While he cannot see her, she nods to herself as she listens to him speak.

Next question. ]

Does... being here feel any less, um, real than it did back in your homeworld?

[original_is_best]

[Hopefully Noctis wouldn't tell on him.]

In some ways, yes.

Physically and as far as my capabilities to act or think, it feels very much the same. However, many interactions with the world are bizarre. Certainly, a cloud appearing over one's head and showing their thoughts is hardly something anyone would consider happening outside of a dream at home. There does seem to be a disconnect from reality at times, whereas other times we are able to analyze data just as always.

[iustaegis]

I... um, [ Over the network she sounds uncertain, as if she's not quite sure where to begin. When it seems that she has something with which to answer him with, she begins: ] ...I wouldn’t use the phenomena occurring here as evidence to this being a simulation.  It could just be how this world works in unfamiliar ways in contrast to any of ours. [ --In ways they have never seen or imagined before, at that. She’s heard of a world that has a literal phoenix for a sun that dies every twilight. Then another world without any color at all, only for that color to be restored. Thought clouds appearing directly overhead could be how some physics works on a world like this. ]

If this place feels no more or less real than one’s homeworld, then you must consider that they could both be simulations with bizarre phenomena unique to their programming. [ A pause. ] Or, ah, both reality.

[Audio]

[original_is_best]

It is not decisive, but it is worth investigating.

The main point being that we would need a way in order to test it. I have never needed to conduct such an experiment before, so I'm currently at a loss. I thought it might be a good time to consider the input of others.

If it turned out to be a simulation, plans would need to be adjusted accordingly.

Re: [Audio]

[iustaegis]

[ She considers for a moment, then responds. ] Oh, it's a bit chilling to think about... this not being reality. [ Lies, she's not really bothered. For others who might be, though, she is concerned. ]

What plans would need to change?

[Audio]

[original_is_best]

It would be... bothersome.

[His initial reaction had been much stronger than that, but he had to get control of himself. It was no use having mental breakdowns.]

I would need to create a pathway in order to leave the simulation by will without memory loss. And, depending on what is outside the simulation, I might need to build a time machine or a vehicle to dimensional travel.

[Which he said as if he absolutely would do those things. Give him some time. If he needs to get it done, he'll find a way.]

[iustaegis]

[ Ambitious. ]

If you build a time machine here... how will you know that the laws that govern time in this universe will make the machine operable back in your own world?

[original_is_best]

That will all depend on several factors. If it turns out that we are in a simulation, we first have to remove ourselves from that, and from there I would have to make my determinations on how to proceed. If it would appear that we are not as young as we think we are, but it is more that some of our memories are being blocked, then I would need to travel through time in order to reach the period of time that needs to be changed on my world.

Of course, that doesn't mention the where. It may also be necessary to travel - whether that be to another dimension or another planet.

But, first things first. And that is determining whether or not this is real.

[iustaegis]

[ Uncertainty: ]

If you are unfamiliar in ways of testing for reality, I-- I don't see how you could possibly accept confirming evidence to begin with.

[original_is_best]

I can learn.

I may not be familiar, but another here may be. I will know whether something makes sense to me or not.

[iustaegis]

I'm... sorry.

[ She pauses, as if considering something, and then delivers the rest of her reply: ]

I cannot help you with this task.

[ More like, she just won't. And honestly-- ] You might have more luck testing a theory that we have all been given duplicate bodies instead.

[original_is_best]

[He raised a brow, though she wouldn't be able to see that.]

Has this idea been proposed before?

There is no reason to test only one theory.

[iustaegis]

[ She had just used that as an example! ]

Wh-- are you now considering that as a possibly, too?

[original_is_best]

Is there some reason we shouldn't consider it?

After all, none of us know precisely how we were brought here.

[iustaegis]

It's only-- it's a bit much to investigate all at once.

[original_is_best]

Then let us start with the initial hypothesis. Did you have any theories on how to arrange tests?

[iustaegis]

[ Does she?? ]

L...like I said, it all depends on how sophisticated the system is. If you are testing within it, all your methods-- energy, magic, or whatever other power you have at your disposal-- will be bound by the rules of the simulation, for they replicate the behavior of those powers.

My suggestion is-- [ Suddenly, she stops herself. ]

Besithia, when was the last time you steppe foot into the VR programs of this world?

[original_is_best]

Will insisted that I try it once. That was... 1-Malom-15th.

[iustaegis]

[ Okay. ]

And how "real" did it feel to you?

[original_is_best]

Startlingly so. I'll admit that I'm impressed with their abilities to fully simulate a virtual world, but it is also perturbing.

[iustaegis]

Does it feel more real than a dream?

[ Stick with her, there's a point to her questions. ]

[original_is_best]

[Silence followed as he considered the question. However, it had been 141 days, and trying to make an in-depth comparison would be difficult even for him. He mumbled thoughtfully, almost to himself.]

Within a dream one's mind doesn't follow standard logic. However, one is not aware of it at the time of a dream, preventing the dream from feeling 'unreal' despite any implausible situations that may occur.

The VR machines, in comparison, attempt to follow and replicate the logic of the real world, though there may be aspects that are imperfect.

[Another silence as he tried to make a determination.]

I think... at the time, a dream may be more convincing. However, in the time after, the virtual reality machines may be more convincing.

[iustaegis]

[ She knows for certain-- having been assisting him-- that he's got quite a few projects of his own going on. He's still investigating whatever it is that he might be able to obtain from the outside world. He's converting his home into a lab. They're still working on an engine and power source. No wonder he hasn't been to the VR lately, if he hasn't thought about it much until now. ]

When entering the VR, we [ That's a general "we". ] know it doesn't feel "real" because of what may compare it to. In dreams, more often than not, we remain ignorant to any discrepancy. [ Lucid ones aside. ] If that false reality is all you've even known, it would be difficult, if not futile, to know how to break from it without assistance from the true reality outside, or some flaw in the original design of the simulation.

[ She has more to say, but she stops here. ]

[original_is_best]

It is unlikely a replication would be completely perfect. Which would mean searching for flaws.

[Because this was only a short part of his life, he'd known much outside of it.]

I have... preferred not to waste time on the VR machines, but perhaps it would be better to assess their imperfections in order to gain insight on what we should look for outside of them.

[A brief pause, as he had some distaste for that idea.]

I do not like them.