The Paradox Of Virtual Reality

Poul Anderson, Genesis (New York, 2001), PART TWO, VII.

(That publication year, 2001, is in itself highly significant - the dawn of the twenty-first century and an echo of Arthur C. Clarke -, especially since Poul Anderson's publication history began in 1947, thus spanning over half of the twentieth century.)

A virtual reality that is indistinguishable from physical reality and that is generated by a conscious planetary AI represents an extremely high level of technology, to say the least. And yet it is used to "emulate" (consciously simulate) an earlier, much lower tech, society:

"Nor did the primitive conditions of the eighteenth century matter to [Christian] or to Laurinda. Rather, their everyday experiences were something refreshingly new, and frequently the occasion of laughter." (p. 169)

"Wind gusted and shrilled around the house, rain blinded the windows, there would be no going out even in a carriage. Indoors a fire failed to hold dank chill at bay. Candlelight glowed cozily on the breakfast table, silverware and china sheened, but shadows hunched thick in every corner.

"He took a last sip of coffee..." (p. 170)

The elements: wind, rain, dankness, chill, shadows...

Luxuries: silver, china, coffee - although no electricity.

I appreciate every mention of the garden:

"The next morning, which was brilliant, they went out into the garden and settled on a bench by the fish basin. Drops of rain glistened on flowers, whose fragrance awoke with the strengthening sunshine. No one else was in sight or earshot." (4, p. 175)

And an uploaded personality would be able to live in such an environment indefinitely.