An honest universe wouldn't care who's watching. Ours seems to.
Reality renders only when observed. Either that's optimization, or we've mistaken a metaphor for a mechanism. Both answers put you at the center.
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Reality+
David J. Chalmers
A leading philosopher of mind takes the simulation argument seriously and works through what follows.
The Simulation Hypothesis
Rizwan Virk
The enthusiast's version, written by a computer scientist and game designer, with a chapter connecting it to religion.
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What it says, why it was cut, and which edition is worth your money. Plus the full reading list today.