OK, so as a thought experiment: imagine that this reality is a simulation, and that all people are simulated people. Basically, imagine that “The Simulation Hypothesis” is true. Which I believe it is, but that’s another matter...
If this is the case then there would be Over-Seers, beings who over-see and administer this simulated dimension of reality: Those who built the computers that run The Simulation and those who make sure it keeps working as it does. There would be technical and non-technical Over-Seers. The former would be the tech guys concerned with the technical side, the latter would be academics, concerned with the affairs of the inhabitants of The Simulation.
The Over-Seers have the power to alter the laws of physics, delete mountains, and make food appear out of nowhere (like manna from heaven) - but they don’t do any of these things or else The Simulation would become unrealistic and not be a valid simulation. Basically it is in their power to make any kind of miracle occur. Also, they have the power to shut down The Simulation, or to make some cataclysmic event occur, like when they decided the dinosaurs needed to be made extinct.
How might the relationship between the Over-Seers and the human inhabitants of The Simulation be described in political terms?
They don’t make laws so they are not legislative
They don’t execute laws so they are not executive
They don’t interpret laws so they are not judicial
In short, they don’t govern. And yet they have the potential to wield great power over us.
And we have to remember that they created us, so that's got to be a factor? Or has it???
How might we characterise the power that they hold?
(Personally, I see them as despots who allow their subjects to govern themselves)
But what do other people think?
Question: What would be the relationship between the Over-Seers and humankind?
If this is the case then there would be Over-Seers, beings who over-see and administer this simulated dimension of reality: Those who built the computers that run The Simulation and those who make sure it keeps working as it does. There would be technical and non-technical Over-Seers. The former would be the tech guys concerned with the technical side, the latter would be academics, concerned with the affairs of the inhabitants of The Simulation.
The Over-Seers have the power to alter the laws of physics, delete mountains, and make food appear out of nowhere (like manna from heaven) - but they don’t do any of these things or else The Simulation would become unrealistic and not be a valid simulation. Basically it is in their power to make any kind of miracle occur. Also, they have the power to shut down The Simulation, or to make some cataclysmic event occur, like when they decided the dinosaurs needed to be made extinct.
How might the relationship between the Over-Seers and the human inhabitants of The Simulation be described in political terms?
They don’t make laws so they are not legislative
They don’t execute laws so they are not executive
They don’t interpret laws so they are not judicial
In short, they don’t govern. And yet they have the potential to wield great power over us.
And we have to remember that they created us, so that's got to be a factor? Or has it???
How might we characterise the power that they hold?
(Personally, I see them as despots who allow their subjects to govern themselves)
But what do other people think?
Question: What would be the relationship between the Over-Seers and humankind?
