Monday, June 27, 2016

Post-Human Worlds as Super Massive Computers


I think it's possible that celestial worlds, that is to say, worlds that are inhabited by gods, or post-humans, are massive super computers. If so, this might correlate well with the simulation argument, in that it would take a computer of enormous size to simulate a universe or universes.

Mormon scripture describes the place where God resides as a giant Urim and Thummim(D&C 130), more on that later. So we have to ask, what is a Urim and Thummim? The Urim and Thummim Joseph was familiar with had a Jaredite origin and should not be confused with ancient Israelite Urim and Thummim; they may or may not have functioned similarly. The Prophet Joseph Smith, Father Abraham and Orson Hyde, who presumably got his information from Joseph or the Three Witnesses, give us descriptions of  Urim and Thummim:

Also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book(JS-H).

...and the learned said I cannot but if he would bring the plates they would read it but the Lord had forbid it and he returned to me and gave them to translate and I said I said cannot for I am not learned but the Lord had prepared spectacles for to read the Book ... (History 1832) 

Two transparent stones, clear as crystal, were found with the records. They were called “seers” and were used by the ancients. The manner in which they were used is as follows: These two stones, called Urim and Thummim, in diameter the size of an English crown (coin) but a little thicker, were placed where there was no light. Those using them then offered prayers unto the Lord and the answer appeared written with letters of light on the Urim and Thummim, but disappeared again soon after (Orson Hyde).

And I, Abraham, had the Urim and Thummim, which the Lord my God had given unto me, in Ur of the Chaldees; 
...  And the Lord said unto me, by the Urim and Thummim, ... (Abraham).

Then the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become a Urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one, whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known;(D&C 130).

From these descriptions, we can learn that the Urim and Thummim the Prophet Joseph Smith had in his possession where a pair of spectacles which used photography(writing with light), assisted in translating ancient texts, processed information and facilitated communication. A Urim and Thummim is, esentially, a computer, along the lines of a smart phone or VR.

Oculus Rift VR
The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim. This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom, or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those who dwell on it; and this earth will be Christ’s(D&C 130, modified). 


D&C 137:4
Nick Bostrum  estimates, that for a computer to realistically simulate the whole of human history, it would need to make about 10^36 operations per second. Another author estimates that a computer the size of a large planet could possibly make 10^42 operations per second. Such a hypothetical mega-computer computer is called a "Jupiter brain".


Another possibility is a "Matrioshka brain". A Matrioshka brain is a hypothetical mega-computer , a type of Dyson sphere. This mega-structure is built around a star, capturing it's energy. The interior of a Matrioshka brain is extremely hot but the exterior is as cold as outer space. The massive amounts of energy derived from a sun, combined with the size of such a massive computer could be used to simulate entire universes. 

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