replicerend

Replicatorend is a term used to describe a hypothetical state or location at the end of a simulated universe, particularly in the context of artificial life through self-replication, such as that proposed by John von Neumann's self-replicating machines or cellular automata. According to this idea, as self-replicating systems progress and multiply, they will eventually reach a point where all possible outcomes have been explored, leading to a stagnation of the system.

At this point, the possibilities for growth and evolution within the simulated universe would be exhausted, with all potential outcomes having been realized, leaving little room for further development. This concept is a result of Roger Penrose's and Stuart Hameroff's Orchestrated Objective Reduction theory of consciousness, which proposes that a fundamental limit exists for the number of computational steps that can be taken by any self-contained system.

The key idea behind the term "replicatorend" is to describe the point at which a replicating system, such as a self-replicating machine, reaches a limit and can no longer proceed. This can be seen as a theoretical boundary beyond which further computational or creative progress becomes impossible. The metaphors of "end" or "termination" highlight the extreme reach of evolutionary possibilities with self-contained, self-realigning systems. Research into this concept expands the understanding of limits on complexity and evolvability in both natural and artificial systems, and its significance is significant in artificial life and the sociology of creativity.