An implicit assumption (which should have been made explicit) of the post is that the cost per simulation is tiny. This is like in WW II where the US would send a long-range bomber to take photos of Japan. I agree with your last paragraph and I think it gets to what is consciousness. Is the program’s existence enough to generate consciousness, or does the program have to run to create conscious observers?
An implicit assumption (which should have been made explicit) of the post is that the cost per simulation is tiny. This is like in WW II where the US would send a long-range bomber to take photos of Japan. I agree with your last paragraph and I think it gets to what is consciousness. Is the program’s existence enough to generate consciousness, or does the program have to run to create conscious observers?