[zizzles]

Should we perhaps hypothesize the motive of this simulation, if any? Death seems to be a very important focal point: All living organisms are condemned to their aging bodies, eventually begin decaying, then die. Death of the universe is also inevitable, "Heat Death". Then there are other existential issues our feeble brains have to deal with. Then of course, our Earth is replete with suffering around every corner. Perhaps other terrestrial planets operate differently, for better or worse. You would think our maker(s) should have known the possible outcomes and scenarios before hitting the "start existence now" button, or perhaps it is just part of the grand plan.

You have to wonder: Are these entity/entities sadistic pranksters of some sort?

[3chelon]

A cursory reading of most religious texts would certainly indicate a degree of sadism and lack of empathy with our human feelings. Human sacrifice? Plagues? Genocide? As an experiment, they would make sense. Virtual vivisection.

The old God-as-a-Programmer argument certainly has its appeal :)

[nzp]

> Death of the universe is also inevitable, "Heat Death".

This is far from settled. Heat death applies only to closed systems. Although it is not unreasonable to assume our universe is a closed system, we simply do not know this to be a fact.

[nefitty]

Entropy could just be an inevitable factor in this simulation. As the simulation steps forward in time, with the rules set forth at the beginning, these different emergent properties of the universe begin sprouting. There may not be a motive at all for this or an other simulation, besides gathering data on the effects of different rulesets.