Fermi Paradox and the Simulation Hypothesis
Is our reality a sandbox game?
Abstract:- In the third article of the series on simulation hypothesis, we are set to explore another prominent feature of the world of video games and its relation to the famous (or infamous?) Fermi Paradox. The Fermi paradox asks an awkward question about the stark contrast in the number of potentially habitable words present around us and an absolute zero tangible evidence of life (intelligent or otherwise) on any of these worlds. In this article, we will discuss in brief about the so-called paradox and how simulation hypothesis can offer a solution to that.
I. The Fermi Paradox
According to Wikipedia, the Fermi Paradox is "The Fermi paradox, named after Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi, is the apparent contradiction between the lack of evidence for extraterrestrial civilizations and various high estimates for their probability (such as some optimistic estimates for the Drake equation)". Essentially it points towards the glaring gap between estimates and the hard proofs of alien life. The question is definitely intriguing and thought-provoking. However, I always failed to understand the real 'paradox' in this question. My suspicion was confirmed by Robert H Gray's paper [1]. Still, instead of focussing on the truth if the question was really coined by the great physicist, let's take the question as is since it really is a fundamental question that begs to be solved.The gap between the possibilities of life (not intelligent life) outside of earth as estimate by Drake's equation and the evidence of any is impossible to ignore. Over the years, there have been so many proposed solutions to this question and all of them are equally plausible at this point. Some of the most intriguing solutions are,
1. Extraterrestrial life is rare or nonexistent or the rare earth hypothesis [2]
2. No other intelligent species have arisen [3]
3. Intelligent civilizations are too far apart in space and time [4]
There are numerous hypothetical solutions to the problem and are equally interesting. However, to limit the focus to the point of discussion only three solutions are enlisted which relate to the point of discussion.
In spite of having 18 planets in the circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ) [5], we haven't found life on any of them. The number becomes even greater if we consider the time for which humanity has been taking any conscious efforts to find these habitable planets and limited reach of human technology as on date.
This abundance of life-supporting planets and a glaring lack of any kind of life (even microbial) is hard to explain and digest. The simulation hypothesis with some gaming terminology may offer another perspective on this.
In this kind of game, a player has "free will" to choose tasks and develop the world around them. In this kind of a game, especially if it is an offline version, the player does not encounter any other player or computer to compete with. This is especially observed in strategy games like the Rise of Nations. All the resources can be used and the player can develop their civilization the way they like instead of focussing on military supremacy over other players.
The game still has full potential to have another computer/human player but it doesn't have them. The player who plays the game is free to conquer any part of the map at will.
These features of a sandbox game tie seamlessly with the Fermi Paradox. Having discussed in brief about the Fermi Paradox, a Sandbox Game and the Simulation Hypothesis the next section will shed some light on the relation between them and how seamlessly they fit like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
If we assume that the original hypothesis i.e. the Simulation hypothesis is valid and we are living in a simulated world like a video game then it seems plausible that the simulation is running in a 'sandbox game' mode. There's huge potential to fina life outside earth but it is nonexistent at the moment. This also provides a potential solution to the Fermi Paradox, where is everyone? Probably, there is no one in this reality but there is someone who has created or simulated this reality. In conclusion, there may be something outside of our earth which has created this simulation but it is on a different plane of reality. Can we count that as a classic expression of alien life? Probably not since the classic expression of alien life involves live evolving on a different planet within our reach of space-time. The discussion can be summed up in following points,
I avoided the temptation of running down the rabbit hole of 'free will' in Section II. Free will and consciousness are a whole new set of intriguing possibilities. I would like to encourage my readers to read some articles on 'free will' and if it really exists or not.
[1] Gray, Robert H. “The Fermi Paradox Is Neither Fermi’s Nor a Paradox.” Astrobiology, vol. 15, no. 3, 2015, pp. 195–99. Mary Ann Liebert Inc, DOI:10.1089/ast.2014.1247.
[2] ---. “Rare Earth Hypothesis.” Wikipedia, 11 Apr. 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_Earth_hypothesis.
[3] Lineweaver, Charles H. Paleontological Tests: Human-Like Intelligence Is Not a Convergent Feature of Evolution. pp. 353–68. Springer Netherlands, DOI:10.1007/978-1-4020-8837-7_17.
[4] Stephen, Webb. If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens-- Where Is Everybody? Springer Science & Business Media, 2006, pp. 62–71.
[5] HUANG, SU-SHU. “OCCURRENCE OF LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE.” American Scientist, vol. 47, no. 3, 1959, pp. 397–402. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/27827376.
[6] “What Is A Sandbox (in Gaming)? - Definition From Techopedia.” Techopedia.Com, https://www.techopedia.com/definition/3952/sandbox-gaming.
3. Intelligent civilizations are too far apart in space and time [4]
There are numerous hypothetical solutions to the problem and are equally interesting. However, to limit the focus to the point of discussion only three solutions are enlisted which relate to the point of discussion.
In spite of having 18 planets in the circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ) [5], we haven't found life on any of them. The number becomes even greater if we consider the time for which humanity has been taking any conscious efforts to find these habitable planets and limited reach of human technology as on date.
This abundance of life-supporting planets and a glaring lack of any kind of life (even microbial) is hard to explain and digest. The simulation hypothesis with some gaming terminology may offer another perspective on this.
II. The Sandbox Game
In the gaming world, the term sandbox game is defined as, "A sandbox is a style of game in which minimal character limitations are placed on the gamer, allowing the gamer to roam and change a virtual world at will. In contrast to a progression-style game, a sandbox game emphasizes roaming and allows a gamer to select tasks. Instead of featuring segmented areas or numbered levels, a sandbox game usually occurs in a “world” to which the gamer has full access from start to finish" [6].In this kind of game, a player has "free will" to choose tasks and develop the world around them. In this kind of a game, especially if it is an offline version, the player does not encounter any other player or computer to compete with. This is especially observed in strategy games like the Rise of Nations. All the resources can be used and the player can develop their civilization the way they like instead of focussing on military supremacy over other players.
The game still has full potential to have another computer/human player but it doesn't have them. The player who plays the game is free to conquer any part of the map at will.
These features of a sandbox game tie seamlessly with the Fermi Paradox. Having discussed in brief about the Fermi Paradox, a Sandbox Game and the Simulation Hypothesis the next section will shed some light on the relation between them and how seamlessly they fit like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
III. Conclusion
If we assume that the original hypothesis i.e. the Simulation hypothesis is valid and we are living in a simulated world like a video game then it seems plausible that the simulation is running in a 'sandbox game' mode. There's huge potential to fina life outside earth but it is nonexistent at the moment. This also provides a potential solution to the Fermi Paradox, where is everyone? Probably, there is no one in this reality but there is someone who has created or simulated this reality. In conclusion, there may be something outside of our earth which has created this simulation but it is on a different plane of reality. Can we count that as a classic expression of alien life? Probably not since the classic expression of alien life involves live evolving on a different planet within our reach of space-time. The discussion can be summed up in following points,
- If this is a simulated reality, there is a high possibility that it is acting as a sandbox game.
- There may not be an alien life within our reach of space-time and we are free to rule this reality and utilize all the resources available.
- Still, there remains a creator of this simulation on a different plane of existence and reality.
Further Reading
I avoided the temptation of running down the rabbit hole of 'free will' in Section II. Free will and consciousness are a whole new set of intriguing possibilities. I would like to encourage my readers to read some articles on 'free will' and if it really exists or not.
Bibliography
[1] Gray, Robert H. “The Fermi Paradox Is Neither Fermi’s Nor a Paradox.” Astrobiology, vol. 15, no. 3, 2015, pp. 195–99. Mary Ann Liebert Inc, DOI:10.1089/ast.2014.1247.
[2] ---. “Rare Earth Hypothesis.” Wikipedia, 11 Apr. 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_Earth_hypothesis.
[3] Lineweaver, Charles H. Paleontological Tests: Human-Like Intelligence Is Not a Convergent Feature of Evolution. pp. 353–68. Springer Netherlands, DOI:10.1007/978-1-4020-8837-7_17.
[4] Stephen, Webb. If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens-- Where Is Everybody? Springer Science & Business Media, 2006, pp. 62–71.
[5] HUANG, SU-SHU. “OCCURRENCE OF LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE.” American Scientist, vol. 47, no. 3, 1959, pp. 397–402. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/27827376.
[6] “What Is A Sandbox (in Gaming)? - Definition From Techopedia.” Techopedia.Com, https://www.techopedia.com/definition/3952/sandbox-gaming.
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