This is basically the model I use to estimate the computational power needed in case I am simulated (I don’t care for what substrate my consciousness runs on as long as I have no access to it). Given that my mind apparently retains only a limited number of bits I’d guess that an efficient simulation could get away with astronomically less resources than needed to simulate all the atoms in the universe. Modern physics experiments would put quite some demands on the cause propagation of the algorithm because apparently quantum effects in light from distant stars are measured, but as long as I don’t do the experiment the atoms don’t actually need to be simulated.
As long as the experiment conforms to your expectations, they don’t even need to simulate it. The only way they could get into trouble is if you expect a logical contradiction, they didn’t spot it in advance, and you might eventually work that out.
This is basically the model I use to estimate the computational power needed in case I am simulated (I don’t care for what substrate my consciousness runs on as long as I have no access to it). Given that my mind apparently retains only a limited number of bits I’d guess that an efficient simulation could get away with astronomically less resources than needed to simulate all the atoms in the universe. Modern physics experiments would put quite some demands on the cause propagation of the algorithm because apparently quantum effects in light from distant stars are measured, but as long as I don’t do the experiment the atoms don’t actually need to be simulated.
http://lesswrong.com/lw/ii5/baseline_of_my_opinion_on_lw_topics/
As long as the experiment conforms to your expectations, they don’t even need to simulate it. The only way they could get into trouble is if you expect a logical contradiction, they didn’t spot it in advance, and you might eventually work that out.
“Oh, it turns out that was experimental error.”
at least now that we have better equipment the earlier result seems not to be repeatable.
… which is a fairly common scenario.