Simulation
See also:   [Clone]
            [Simacrulum]
            [Authenticity and Originality]
            [Autographnic vs Allographic]

            [Philip K. Dick]
            [The Performed WEB (including programming)]
            [Realism Now (essay by Linda Nochlin)]

Simulation

A simulation mimics (perhaps duplicates) a given object or experience.
A computer simulation (using a mathematical model) may try to duplicate
the behaviour of a physical system; eg, use a set of differential equations 
with the proper numerical data can "duplicate" the behaviour of a suspension
bridge in various kinds of weather - thus, it *simulates* the bridge itself.

If the user/viewer is un-aware that the thing that they are interacting
with IS a simulation they may mistake or "see" it as the authentic thing
or experience. Many amusement rides place the viewer in a closed box 
mounted on hydraulic jacks that are programmed to (eg) mimic riding in
a down-hill sled, etc. 

In general the purpose of the simulation is to create a system which can
be manipulated in ways that are not possible with the original object/experience.
A clone (or mock-up - ie, a partial clone) is designed to be an exact duplicate
of the original and to behave, be viewed, etc. like the original. A simacrulum
is a duplicated form of the original but may use a vastly different technoloyg
or under-pinning to achieve a level of authenticity. For example, the android
"Commander Data" in ST-TNG ("Star Trek - The Next Generation") - portrayed by
Brent Spiner is a simacrulum of a human. He (in the story or if technology 
progressed to the point of being able to create an android) mimics (quite 
closely) a human. But, he is based on electronic and pneumatic systems 
rather than organic tissue. 


Important works


Chronology