Story Query

[mabfan]

As I noted yesterday in If I'm Living in a Simulated Environment, At Least I Have Kosher Food, I went to the library to pick up "The Mind's I," in order to find the story about a computer scientist who programs a simulated environment with simulated people in it. And when I looked through the book, I couldn't find the story I remembered.

Maybe I missed it because it was late, but does anyone out there know the story I was thinking of? Here's my description from yesterday:

In the short story, written from the first person, a computer scientist describes an experiment he's performing. He's created a simulated world inside a computer, and in that box "people" who appear to display self-awareness are born, grow old, and die. The scientist notes with amusement that these simulated people have begun to speculate about his existence, some believing in a creator, and others professing atheism. The believers think that there is a "heaven" and a "hell" afterlife, and the scientist considers the possibility of setting up two more computer boxes connected to the original. The believers would have their program transferred to the "heaven" box after they "die," and the rest would go to "hell." He doesn't end up doing it, but the speculation is still there.

I really thought it was in "The Mind's I." The only other book I can think of where I might have read the story is "Mathenauts" edited by Rudy Rucker; my copy of that is also in storage.

So...anyone know?

Comments

[osewalrus.livejournal.com]

Don't be ridiculous. There was never a story like that. What a foolish notion.

Oh, did you remember to set your reality for automatic download last night? Apparently there was some kind of big security patch....

[rikchik.livejournal.com]

Bugs fixed by this release:

• multiple security holes in protocol layer 97
  
• information collection 0-553-34584-2 ("The Mind's I") contains memetic bounds violation
  
• Oceania incorrectly at war with Eurasia
  

[amysisson.livejournal.com]

If you don't unearth it here, there is an LJ community "whatwasthatbook", which people use to identify short stories as well. There's a pretty good success rate for identifying things for which the poster can't remember the author or title, but can describe some or all of the plot. Myself, I've had a 50/50 rate, but I've only posted twice, with one work identified and the other not yet identified.

[buxom-bey.livejournal.com]

I don't know the story you're looking for, but would recommend Permutation City by Greg Egan, which has a similar theme.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Great book! I've read and enjoyed it before, but thanks for the recommendation.

[carolf.livejournal.com]

Ok. Color me confused. I, also, thought I had read it in "Mind's I."

When you find it, please post the answer? (I'll do the same if I find it first.) (No, I dont' remember the title, either.)