Why Simulate?

Simulation is one of the things that makes us human. Thinking is what happens when our brains host virtual objects acting and interacting via behavioral “rules”. Computer simulation brings those mental models into the light of day, infuses them with real world data, and allows us to explore the envelope of the future. When done right, simulation brings the best of both worlds together to helps us make smarter decisions in complex situations—as individuals and as a society.

Computers have done a lot to help us deal with digital data, from mundane accounting to viral YouTube videos. Most of these applications involve moving, transforming, and/or displaying data, all of which could be done before computers, though far less efficiently. There is one thing though, that only computers can do, and that is to host a dynamic process that responds when we interact with it. And the biggest computer of all that does this is the real world.

This is a rather information-centric point of view, and I’m making a several rather strong assertions I can’t easily back up—but I think it is a worthwhile perspective to try on.

Computer games of course lead the way in exploiting simulation, and provide increasingly realistic and immersive experiences. They entertain and increasingly train, allowing us to learn by doing in a safe environment. Less holistic and more accurate are industrial simulations used in areas such as mechanical modeling and integrated circuit design. But games don’t have to be accurate and industrial simulators can stick to well characterized physical systems.

There are other domains that are much less well characterized, more broad in their reach, and moving forward in a much more uncertain environment—traffic, markets, economies, societies. Despite our best efforts to manage these, we have traffic jams, failed products, recessions and non-sustainable lifestyles. We can do better, and simulation can help.