StarTalk Radio Cosmic Queries – Living in a Simulation with Nick Bostrom
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Dec 19, 2025 
In this insightful discussion, philosopher Nick Bostrom, director at the Future of Humanity Institute, delves into simulation theory. He lays out his famous simulation argument, suggesting we might be living in a simulated reality. Bostrom explores why advanced civilizations could run ancestor simulations, the implications for consciousness, and the cost of brain simulations. He also tackles free will and questions the existence of God within a simulated framework. Get ready for a mind-bending exploration of reality and our place within it!
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One Of Three Outcomes Is Inevitable
- Nick Bostrom's simulation argument shows one of three must be true: extinction, no interest in ancestor simulations, or we are simulated.
- If mature civilizations can run many ancestor simulations, simulated minds would vastly outnumber originals.
Numbers Favor Simulated People
- If even a non-trivial fraction of mature civilizations run ancestor simulations, simulated people will outnumber originals.
- Conditional on that, it's rational to think you're likely simulated rather than original.
Check Compute Bounds To Assess The Argument
- Test empirical premises: estimate physically possible computational power and brain-simulation costs.
- Use bounds on compute and brain complexity to evaluate how plausible large-scale simulations are.