Simulacron-3
Encyclopedia
Simulacron-3 (also published as Counterfeit World), by Daniel F. Galouye
, is an American science fiction
novel featuring an early literary description of virtual reality
.
city (total environment simulator) for marketing research
, developed by a scientist to reduce the need for opinion poll
s. The computer-generated city simulation
is so well-programmed, that, although the inhabitants have their own consciousness
, they are unaware, except for one, that they are only electronic impulses in a computer.
The simulator’s lead scientist, Hannon Fuller, dies mysteriously, and a co-worker, Morton Lynch, vanishes. The protagonist, Douglas Hall, is with Lynch when he vanishes, and Hall subsequently struggles to suppress his inchoate madness. As time and events unwind, he progressively grasps that his own world likely is not “real” and might be only a computer-generated simulation.
Symbolically, the title term "Simulacron-3" refers to the just-built virtual reality simulator and ostensibly references a third attempt at "simulectronics" (the reality-simulating technology), however, the "3" also refers to the novel’s three levels of "reality," or three levels of computer simulation — if the final, "real" world is simulated. Moreover, "simulacron" is closely derivative of simulacrum
, a superficial image representing a non-existent original.
To date, the novel Simulacron-3, about a counterfeit world, has twice been adapted, first as the two-part German television play Welt am Draht
(1973) (World on a Wire), by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
; second, cinematically, as The Thirteenth Floor
(1999), by Josef Rusnak.
, deals with like philosophic themes and satirical criticism of marketing research, although the described simulated reality
is mechanical — an intricate scale-model whose inhabitants’ consciousnesses reside in a computer, rather than being solely electronic. The American novel Time Out of Joint
(1959), by Philip K. Dick
, describes a man unaware of living his life in a physically simulated environment, until changes in his (apparent) reality begin to manifest themselves. The short story They by Robert Heinlein has a similar theme. The Polish short story Skrzynie profesora Corcorana (Professor Corcoran’s Boxes) (1960), by Stanisław Lem, deals with scientists building a machine to simulate a complete reality for a human mind (consciousness) trapped in a computer.
Some forty-odd years later, The Matrix
(1999) and The Thirteenth Floor
(1999) describe worlds whose populations are unaware that the world containing their minds is a virtual reality simulacrum.
Daniel F. Galouye
Daniel Francis Galouye was an American science fiction writer. During the 1950s and 1960s, he contributed novelettes and short stories to various digest size science fiction magazines, sometimes writing under the pseudonym Louis G...
, is an American science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel featuring an early literary description of virtual reality
Virtual reality
Virtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
.
Plot summary
Simulacron 3 is the story of a virtualVirtual
The term virtual is a concept applied in many fields with somewhat differing connotations, and also, differing denotations.The term has been defined in philosophy as "that which is not real" but may display the salient qualities of the real....
city (total environment simulator) for marketing research
Marketing research
Marketing research is "the function that links the consumer, customer, and public to the marketer through information — information used to identify and define marketing opportunities and problems; generate, refine, and evaluate marketing actions; monitor marketing performance; and improve...
, developed by a scientist to reduce the need for opinion poll
Opinion poll
An opinion poll, sometimes simply referred to as a poll is a survey of public opinion from a particular sample. Opinion polls are usually designed to represent the opinions of a population by conducting a series of questions and then extrapolating generalities in ratio or within confidence...
s. The computer-generated city simulation
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
is so well-programmed, that, although the inhabitants have their own consciousness
Consciousness
Consciousness is a term that refers to the relationship between the mind and the world with which it interacts. It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind...
, they are unaware, except for one, that they are only electronic impulses in a computer.
The simulator’s lead scientist, Hannon Fuller, dies mysteriously, and a co-worker, Morton Lynch, vanishes. The protagonist, Douglas Hall, is with Lynch when he vanishes, and Hall subsequently struggles to suppress his inchoate madness. As time and events unwind, he progressively grasps that his own world likely is not “real” and might be only a computer-generated simulation.
Symbolically, the title term "Simulacron-3" refers to the just-built virtual reality simulator and ostensibly references a third attempt at "simulectronics" (the reality-simulating technology), however, the "3" also refers to the novel’s three levels of "reality," or three levels of computer simulation — if the final, "real" world is simulated. Moreover, "simulacron" is closely derivative of simulacrum
Simulacrum
Simulacrum , from the Latin simulacrum which means "likeness, similarity", was first recorded in the English language in the late 16th century, used to describe a representation, such as a statue or a painting, especially of a god...
, a superficial image representing a non-existent original.
To date, the novel Simulacron-3, about a counterfeit world, has twice been adapted, first as the two-part German television play Welt am Draht
Welt am Draht
Welt am Draht , is a 1973 science fiction film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Shot in 16 mm, it was made for German television and originally aired in 1973, as a two-part miniseries. Starring Klaus Löwitsch, it was based on the novel Simulacron-3 by Daniel F...
(1973) (World on a Wire), by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Maria Fassbinder was a German movie director, screenwriter and actor. He is considered one of the most important representatives of the New German Cinema.He maintained a frenetic pace in film-making...
; second, cinematically, as The Thirteenth Floor
The Thirteenth Floor
The Thirteenth Floor is a 1999 science fiction film directed by Josef Rusnak and loosely based upon Simulacron-3 , a novel by Daniel F. Galouye...
(1999), by Josef Rusnak.
Like-subject works
The short story The Tunnel Under the World (1955), by Frederik PohlFrederik Pohl
Frederik George Pohl, Jr. is an American science fiction writer, editor and fan, with a career spanning over seventy years — from his first published work, "Elegy to a Dead Planet: Luna" , to his most recent novel, All the Lives He Led .He won the National Book Award in 1980 for his novel Jem...
, deals with like philosophic themes and satirical criticism of marketing research, although the described simulated reality
Simulated reality
Simulated reality is the proposition that reality could be simulated—perhaps by computer simulation—to a degree indistinguishable from "true" reality. It could contain conscious minds which may or may not be fully aware that they are living inside a simulation....
is mechanical — an intricate scale-model whose inhabitants’ consciousnesses reside in a computer, rather than being solely electronic. The American novel Time Out of Joint
Time out of Joint
Time Out of Joint is a novel by Philip K. Dick, first published in novel form in the United States in 1959. An abridged version was also serialised in the British science fiction magazine New Worlds Science Fiction in several installments from December 1959 to February 1960, under the title...
(1959), by Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick
Philip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered...
, describes a man unaware of living his life in a physically simulated environment, until changes in his (apparent) reality begin to manifest themselves. The short story They by Robert Heinlein has a similar theme. The Polish short story Skrzynie profesora Corcorana (Professor Corcoran’s Boxes) (1960), by Stanisław Lem, deals with scientists building a machine to simulate a complete reality for a human mind (consciousness) trapped in a computer.
Some forty-odd years later, The Matrix
The Matrix
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
(1999) and The Thirteenth Floor
The Thirteenth Floor
The Thirteenth Floor is a 1999 science fiction film directed by Josef Rusnak and loosely based upon Simulacron-3 , a novel by Daniel F. Galouye...
(1999) describe worlds whose populations are unaware that the world containing their minds is a virtual reality simulacrum.