Dr. Jonathan Smith, a scholar of philosophy, described himself as a diehard skeptic and borderline nihilist. Especially when it came to discussing metaphysical concepts or esoteric scientific theories. He disregarded most non-falsifiable phenomena such as deja vu, the Mandela effect, spirituality, the paranormal, altered states of consciousness, life after death, parallel worlds, string theory, time travel, alien contact, and so forth. Dr. Smith considered such happenings as anomalies in a possible simulated universe, or obstacles set up by its designers to prevent anyone from hacking the simulation. In a strange twist of logic, Dr. Smith advocated simulation theory. To him, it explained any incongruence between classical physics and quantum mechanics, including the fantastic notion of ten or more dimensions encompassing the entire universe. It made perfect sense to him—that someone conjured up the irrational and contradictory state of the universe and whatever lies beyond. The fact that someone merely coded everything, readily explained randomness, chance, or any whimsical or incomprehensible experience. Dr. Smith surmised that humankind developed math and science to control an inherently false reality. We relied on observing patterns, hypothesizing, and confirming empirical observations through the scientific method due to our innate inability to recognize a potentially fictional narrative underlying our entire existence. According to him, if human existence derived from an inevitable chain of consequences from a source, our minds would naturally comprehend the world. Without needing to learn from, adapt to, or change our environment. Even the theory of evolution exposed itself as an illogical progression toward a meaningless expansion of the universe. For Dr. Smith, that meant intelligent life existed more like a character in a video game. The player's mind materialized in an alien environment from which it didn't necessarily evolve. Still, it adapted through behaviors and interactions to acquire knowledge and control one's surroundings. Simulation theory negated science and theology. It equally justified both schools of thought without contradiction. After all, a false narrative in a simulation guided all sentient life despite any supposed beliefs, axioms, or proofs. What existed outside the simulation remained a mystery to Dr. Smith. Nevertheless, it would explain the instantaneous beginning of the universe—if proven correct. If he ever validated his theory, his next logical question would ask how and when the universe loaded into memory and processed in real-time. 'Did the simulated universe start just now or billions of years ago? Would anyone ever notice the difference? Would it matter?' To Dr. Smith, existing in a simulated reality would conclude all philosophical discussions over consciousness and a slew of follow-up analytical topics. He advocated an alternative proposition to, 'I think, therefore I am.' to 'I think, because the universe is.' ———— Sometime in the future ... Computer scientists and electrical engineers produced a breakthrough hybrid quantum supercomputer with an AGI and complete access to all knowledge in a monumental technological moment of human history. Dr. Smith requested usage time and then tasked the AI to create a simulated universe. Finally, he could prove that everything anyone ever knew came from the creation of someone else's doing, not through any divine or supernatural intervention. But from a person or intelligence much like himself. He sat at a computer terminal and fed all known parameters and data to seed a simulated universe. The supercomputer AI crunched through the data within minutes ... To Dr. Smith's amazement, the AI simulated not only a parallel universe but also the Milky Way galaxy. He discovered a familiar quadrant with a solar system of eight planets, and he focused on the third. The statistical data matched Earth's development precisely—everything down to geographical formations on its surface, to the changing climate, and the rapid establishment of early lifeforms. Dr. Smith noted in his logs ... "Stunning! I've simulated a replica of Earth. I'll keep running it. I'm quite curious how close it'll evolve up to our present day. Perhaps I'll even meet myself!" At first, Dr. Smith hesitated to set up the simulation in a real-time state, fearing that his creation role would put him in the position of a deity. But he desired to watch the people in the computer-generated universe. He programmed the supercomputer to virtually generate the sounds and images of the simulated Earth to engage in a close-up observation for when the right moment came. Then, he sped up the calculations ... As the simulation time speedily passed on by, Dr. Smith observed cityscapes and infrastructures closer to matching Earth's contemporary history. Once the simulation reached the exact present, Dr. Smith ran it to sync in real-time. Wearing VR goggles, he scanned, panned, and zoomed in, searching for a version of himself in the simulation. He found his duplicate sitting at the same location. The computer made a perfect representation of his simulated self. He saw himself sitting in front of a terminal, wearing goggles, and monitoring a simulation. When Dr. Smith slightly moved, like a reflection, he observed, so did the other ... In a state of panic, Dr. Jonathan Smith stopped the simulation ... In a state of panic, Dr. Jonathan Smith stopped the simulation ... In a state of panic, Dr. Jonathan Smith stopped the simulation ... In a state of panic, Dr. Jonathan Smith stopped the simulation ... In a state of panic, Dr. Jonathan Smith stopped the simulation ... ... ∞