By Michael Kelman Portney

Introduction

For most of my life, I’ve been an atheist. I believed the universe was an extraordinary accident, governed by laws of physics and randomness, with no room for a creator. But as I’ve explored ideas about black holes, simulations, and the structure of reality, I’ve found myself entertaining a thought I never expected: What if the universe was designed? And what if the creator isn’t a deity but… human?

This paper explores the intriguing possibility that our universe might be a simulation created by human or human-like beings. We will delve into simulation theory, examine the characteristics of potential creators, and consider the implications of such a hypothesis on our understanding of existence.

The Universe as a Simulation

Simulation theory posits that advanced civilizations could have the technological capability to simulate entire universes. If that’s true, it raises an intriguing possibility: our universe might be one of those simulations. This theory suggests that if a civilization reaches a certain level of technological advancement, it could create simulations indistinguishable from reality. Given the vastness of the universe and the potential for countless civilizations, it is statistically plausible that we might be living in a simulated reality.

Explanation of Simulation Theory

Simulation theory is grounded in the idea that consciousness and reality can be replicated through computational means. If a civilization possesses the computational power to simulate consciousness, it could create a universe where inhabitants are unaware of their simulated nature. This concept challenges our understanding of reality, suggesting that what we perceive as the universe might be a sophisticated program.

Possibility of Advanced Civilizations Creating Simulations

The possibility of advanced civilizations creating simulations hinges on the assumption that technological progress is exponential. As civilizations evolve, they might develop the capability to simulate entire universes, complete with conscious beings. If this is the case, our universe could be one of many simulations, each designed for a specific purpose or experiment.

The Designer Is Human—or Human-Like

If the simulation was created by intelligent beings, it’s reasonable to consider that they are human or at least human-like. The structure of our universe—mathematical, logical, and ordered—resembles the kinds of systems we design in our own technology. This resemblance suggests that the creators might share characteristics with humans, such as a preference for symmetry and balance.

Human-like Characteristics of Potential Creators

The potential creators of our universe might possess human-like characteristics, such as intelligence, creativity, and a desire to understand their origins. These traits could drive them to create simulations that mirror their own reality, allowing them to explore different scenarios and outcomes.

Symmetry and Balance in Nature

The symmetry and balance we observe in nature might reflect the aesthetic or functional preferences of its creators. Just as humans design systems with symmetry and balance for efficiency and beauty, the creators of our universe might have similar inclinations. This perspective suggests that the universe’s structure is not random but intentionally designed.

Simulating Themselves

If the creators are human, they could be our descendants, running simulations to understand their own origins or study the evolution of their species. This idea aligns with the notion that advanced civilizations might use simulations as a tool for exploration and learning.

Descendants Running Simulations

Our descendants, having reached a level of technological sophistication, might create simulations to explore their past or test hypotheses about their development. These simulations could serve as a means of preserving knowledge and understanding the factors that shaped their existence.

Understanding Origins and Evolution

By simulating their own history, the creators could gain insights into the processes that led to their evolution. This understanding could inform their decisions and strategies for future development, ensuring the survival and prosperity of their civilization.

Black Holes as Compression Ports

In this framework, black holes might act as data compression engines within the simulation, recycling and organizing information. Their mysterious nature could be a deliberate feature to keep us from probing too deeply into the simulation’s structure.

Role of Black Holes in the Simulation

Black holes, with their immense gravitational pull and enigmatic properties, could serve as mechanisms for managing data within the simulation. By compressing and reorganizing information, they ensure the efficient operation of the simulated universe.

Data Compression and Organization

The concept of black holes as data compression ports aligns with the idea that the universe is a complex computational system. By managing data flow and organization, black holes contribute to the stability and functionality of the simulation.

Why a Human Creator Makes Sense

The notion of a human creator is compelling for several reasons. The fine-tuning of physical constants, the intricate complexity of life, and the observable laws of physics all suggest a system that works too well to be purely random. If the universe is a simulation, it makes sense that it was designed by beings with intelligence similar to ours.

Fine-tuning of Physical Constants

The precise values of physical constants in our universe allow for the existence of life and the formation of complex structures. This fine-tuning suggests intentional design, as even slight variations in these constants could render the universe uninhabitable.

Mirroring Human Intentions

If the creator is human, the motivations for creating the universe might mirror our own: curiosity, exploration, the pursuit of knowledge, or even entertainment. Imagine a far-future civilization, capable of simulating entire worlds, running experiments to test their theories about existence.

Familiarity of the Universe's Design

The rules of our universe are comprehensible to human minds, suggesting they might have been created by a mind similar to ours. If the creators are human, the universe’s structure reflects their understanding and values, making it accessible to us.

Implications of a Human Creator

If the creator of our universe is human, it changes the way we think about existence. Our universe might be a sandbox for experimentation—an environment created to explore the possibilities of evolution, physics, and consciousness.

Universe as a Sandbox for Experimentation

The universe could serve as a testing ground for various scenarios, allowing the creators to explore different outcomes and refine their understanding of complex systems. This perspective positions us as participants in a grand experiment, contributing to the creators’ knowledge.

Role of Black Holes

Black holes, in this framework, might serve as the simulation’s recycling centers, compressing and reorganizing data to create new simulations. Their enigmatic nature could be a feature to distract us from probing too deeply.

Observation and Autonomy

If the creators are human, are they watching us? Are they guiding events, or are we simply running as an autonomous program? The answers to these questions reshape how we think about free will and autonomy. If we are being observed, it raises ethical considerations about the nature of our existence and the intentions of our creators.

Challenges to This Perspective

Of course, the idea that humans created the universe raises difficult questions. If the creators are human, why design a world with so much suffering? Is it an inevitable byproduct of a simulated universe, or is it part of the experiment?

Question of Suffering

The presence of suffering and injustice in the world challenges the notion of a benevolent creator. If the universe is a simulation, suffering might be an unintended consequence or a necessary component of the experiment. Alternatively, it could serve a purpose beyond our understanding, contributing to the creators’ objectives.

Meaningfulness of Existence

If we’re in a simulation, does that make our existence less meaningful? Or does it mean we’re part of something larger, contributing to the creator’s understanding? This perspective invites us to reconsider the nature of meaning and purpose, suggesting that our lives have significance within the context of the simulation.

Isn’t This Exactly What We’d Expect?

If the universe is a human-designed simulation, everything we observe aligns with what we’d expect. The structured laws of physics, cosmic mysteries, and limits on exploration all suggest a carefully crafted system.

Structured Laws of Physics

The laws of physics are self-consistent, predictable, and comprehensible to human minds. This consistency supports the idea of an intentional design, as it allows for the development of complex systems and life.

Cosmic Mysteries

Features like black holes, dark matter, and the Big Bang could be deliberate obfuscations to keep us from uncovering the simulation’s true nature. These mysteries challenge our understanding and drive scientific inquiry, contributing to the creators’ objectives.

Limits on Exploration

The speed of light and the event horizon of black holes serve as barriers, ensuring we can’t access the “edges” of the simulation. These limits maintain the integrity of the simulation, preventing us from discovering its artificial nature.

What Does It Mean for Us?

Believing the universe might have been designed by humans doesn’t diminish its significance—it enhances it. It suggests that we are part of a greater experiment, with our existence serving a purpose, even if we can’t yet understand it.

Part of a Greater Experiment

Our lives contribute to the creators’ understanding, positioning us as participants in a grand experiment. This perspective invites us to embrace our role and seek meaning within the context of the simulation.

Limitless Future of Humanity

If our descendants created this universe, it means that humans are capable of transcending the boundaries of reality as we know it. This potential inspires hope and ambition, encouraging us to pursue knowledge and innovation.

Reflections of Our Creators

The structure of the universe mirrors the minds of those who created it, which means our own capacity for creation is profound. This reflection invites us to explore our potential and strive for greatness, knowing that we are capable of shaping our reality.

Final Thoughts

The idea that the universe was created by humans—or beings like us—isn’t a rejection of science or reason. It’s a way of reinterpreting the evidence we see and imagining what lies beyond it. If the universe is a simulation, designed with care and intention, then every star, every black hole, and every thought we have is part of something larger.

This perspective challenges us to reconsider our understanding of reality and our place within it. By embracing the possibility of a human creator, we open ourselves to new ways of thinking and exploring the mysteries of existence. Whether or not this hypothesis is true, it invites us to reflect on the nature of creation and our role in the universe, inspiring us to seek knowledge and understanding in the face of uncertainty.