Is our reality just an advanced simulation? This fascinating book takes an in-depth, multifaceted look at simulation theory, the controversial hypothesis that we exist within a sophisticated computer simulation created by a more advanced civilization. Walking the line between scientific investigation and philosophical speculation, the book traces simulation theory from its roots in ancient philosophy and thought experiments to contemporary models of physics, quantum theory, and computing. Covering historical context from Plato's Allegory of the Buddhist concepts of Maya and Shunyata, the book shows how humanity has long grappled with the idea that perceived reality is an illusion. It then analyzes modern scientific perspectives, including physicist Nick Bostrom's famous Simulation Argument, which proposes three startling possibilities for our existence. The book provides accessible coverage of relevant quantum physics experiments, highlighting how paradoxical findings in quantum entanglement, superposition, and double slit studies closely align with the mechanisms of a simulated reality. Beyond physics, further dimensions of potential evidence - from the eerie precision of nature's constants to the role of consciousness and limitations of human perception - are examined to paint a multifaceted case. This trip down the rabbit hole grapples with complex ethical dilemmas, simulation theory paradoxes, and the deepest implications for the meaning of life. Are we just information? Is free will an illusion? What are the implications for artificial intelligence and virtual reality? These questions and more await readers ready to gaze into the existential mirror of simulation theory. Those ready to open Pandora's box will never look at reality the same way again.

Collecting the work of the foremost scientists in the field, Discrete-Event Modeling and Simulation: Theory and Applications presents the state of the art in modeling discrete-event systems using the discrete-event system specification (DEVS) approach. It introduces the latest advances, recent extensions of formal techniques, and real-world examples of various applications. The book covers many topics that pertain to several layers of the modeling and simulation architecture. It discusses DEVS model development support and the interaction of DEVS with other methodologies. It describes different forms of simulation supported by DEVS, the use of real-time DEVS simulation, the relationship between DEVS and graph transformation, the influence of DEVS variants on simulation performance, and interoperability and composability with emphasis on DEVS standardization. The text also examines extensions to DEVS, new formalisms, and abstractions of DEVS models as well as the theory and analysis behind real-world system identification and control. To support the generation and search of optimal models of a system, a framework is developed based on the system entity structure and its transformation to DEVS simulation models. In addition, the book explores numerous interesting examples that illustrate the use of DEVS to build successful applications, including optical network-on-chip, construction/building design, process control, workflow systems, and environmental models. A one-stop resource on advances in DEVS theory, applications, and methodology, this volume offers a sampling of the best research in the area, a broad picture of the DEVS landscape, and trend-setting applications enabled by the DEVS approach. It provides the basis for future research discoveries and encourages the development of new applications.

The satisfiability (SAT) problem is central in mathematical logic, computing theory, and many industrial applications. There has been a strong relationship between the theory, the algorithms and the applications of the SAT problem. This book aims to bring together work by the best theorists, algorithmists, and practitioners working on the sat problem and on industrial applications, as well as to enhance the interaction between the three research groups. The book features the applications of theoretical/algorithmic results to practical problems and presents practical examples for theoretical/algorithmic study. Major topics covered in the book include practical and industial SAT problems and benchmarks, significant case studies and applications of the SAT problem and SAT algorithms, new algorithms and improved techniques for satisfiability testing, specific data structures and implementation details of the SAT algorithms, and the theoretical study of the SAT problem and SAT algorithms.

This book describes the new generation of discrete choice methods, focusing on the many advances that are made possible by simulation. Researchers use these statistical methods to examine the choices that consumers, households, firms, and other agents make. Each of the major models is covered: logit, generalized extreme value, or GEV (including nested and cross-nested logits), probit, and mixed logit, plus a variety of specifications that build on these basics. Simulation-assisted estimation procedures are investigated and compared, including maximum stimulated likelihood, method of simulated moments, and method of simulated scores. Procedures for drawing from densities are described, including variance reduction techniques such as anithetics and Halton draws. Recent advances in Bayesian procedures are explored, including the use of the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and its variant Gibbs sampling. The second edition adds chapters on endogeneity and expectation-maximization (EM) algorithms. No other book incorporates all these fields, which have arisen in the past 25 years. The procedures are applicable in many fields, including energy, transportation, environmental studies, health, labor, and marketing.

This book will interest researchers, scientists, engineers and graduate students in many disciplines, who make use of mathematical modeling and computer simulation. Although it represents only a small sample of the research activity on numerical simulations, the book will certainly serve as a valuable tool for researchers interested in getting involved in this multidisciplinary field. It will be useful to encourage further experimental and theoretical researches in the above mentioned areas of numerical simulation.

This book will interest researchers, scientists, engineers and graduate students in many disciplines, who make use of mathematical modeling and computer simulation. Although it represents only a small sample of the research activity on numerical simulations, the book will certainly serve as a valuable tool for researchers interested in getting involved in this multidisciplinary field. It will be useful to encourage further experimental and theoretical researches in the above mentioned areas of numerical simulation.

This book constitutes the refereed post-proceedings of the third Asian Simulation Conference, AsiaSim 2004, held in Jeju Island, Korea in October 2004. The 78 revised full papers presented together with 2 invited keynote papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 178 submissions; after the conference, the papers went through another round of revision. The papers are organized in topical sections on modeling and simulation methodology, manufacturing, aerospace simulation, military simulation, medical simulation, general applications, network simulation and modeling, e-business simulation, numerical simulation, traffic simulation, transportation, virtual reality, engineering applications, and DEVS modeling and simulation.

Proceedings of the ICDE'96 held in Bandung, Indonesia

This book presents a theory as well as methods to understand and to purposively influence complex systems. It suggests a theory of complex systems as nested systems, i. e. systems that enclose other systems and that are simultaneously enclosed by even other systems. According to the theory presented, each enclosing system emerges through time from the generative activities of the systems they enclose. Systems are nested and often emerge unplanned, and every system of high dynamics is enclosed by a system of slower dynamics. An understanding of systems with faster dynamics, which are always guided by systems of slower dynamics, opens up not only new ways to understanding systems, but also to effectively influence them. The aim and subject of this book is to lay out these thoughts and explain their relevance to the purposive development of complex systems, which are exemplified in case studies from an urban system. The interested reader, who is not required to be familiar with system-theoretical concepts or with theories of emergence, will be guided through the development of a theory of emergent nested systems. The reader will also learn about new ways to influence the course of events - even though the course of events is, in principle, unpredictable, due to the ever-new emergence of real novelty.