So let's assume you're god/a sufficiently advanced alien/etc.

The premise: A God Is You.

You are tasked with creating a universe (or a planet for those who don't like to think that large-scale.)

How would you make it? Like our current universe? Like so, but tweaked? A brand- new block? Would you create life? How biodiverse would it be? Would there be a sentient species (or more than one)?

Etc..

I'd make a universe where each planet in each solar system is very similar to the others, and they'd end up revolving in a large merry-go-round type setup. Mind, this doesn't mean all planets are similar; I might have a system of Jupiters, a system of Marses, et cetera. Of course for one solar system, All Planets Are Earthlike. There'd be seven of them. On each planet there is exactly one sapient species, but each species is different from the others. H Owever they would be similar enough that they'd be able to communicate with work.

• On one planet I'd be a jerkass god, making demands of my peoples like the worst portrayals of Abramic religions' god.
• On the second, I'd make the species effectively immortal but not invincible- that is, they won't die of age but they can be killed violently.
• On the third I would make a way for humans to become immortal, a slowly (very slowly) replenishing natural resource that grows in either pools (as a liquid) Or on some kind of tree as a fruit (I.E. Garden of eden and the like.)
• On the fourth planet I'd give random Shizo Tech to the various early civilizations of the species.
• On the fifth I would make exactly one thousand beings completely immortal sans an extremely complicated suicide, and entirely unable to reproduce.
• The sixth I would leave alone and let evolution do its thing.
• the seventh I'd make my presence known as a benevolent if not frequently appearing god.

edited 31st Dec '10 12:58:37 AM by Diamonnes

Without doubt: I would make it so I can keep making more realities if I wanted. If I had infinite creative power, I am God-damned sure I won't be satisfied with a single shot.

Also without doubt: Once it starts working, I will detach myself from the reality and make sure it includes more than enough illogic so it'll have different end product. To hell with perfect causality. I want surprise and uniqueness. Still, it'd be nice if I could see it keep running for a while.

Perhaps: I want to allow any willful, independent entities to challenge my moral authority and consider this to be an ultimate, insurmountable accomplishment for their reality.

The only thing I'm sure about is that I would definitely not make any sentient species, and I would try to ensure that environmental pressures never lead to the evolution of sentience.

Hm, an interesting question. It would depend upon exactly how much power I have. Namely, it is necessary for me to create what I consider evil or I can simply not include it in the plan?

Anyway, I few things I'd do for certain

• It would be more than one universe. Eternity is a looooong time, after all. Have to pass it somehow
• I would not create sentient beings, or, rather, wont design them. I would create conditions that make development of sentience possible and watch the result
• I won't make sentient creatures obey me, but might be inclined to act as semi-benevolent (if somewhat tricksterish and easily bored) teacher, protector and guide.
• If I decide to ever reveal myself to sentient creatures, I'll start doing it regularly and will take great care to prevent my words and actions from being misinterpreted. Obedience I don't need, but will appear personally and correct misinterpretations
• I will consider it my greatest achievement if sentient creatures in my universe would find a way to become greater than I imagined them to be. If one day they'll learn to create universes of their own. Maybe I'll smile upon those brave enough to challenge me.

So many possibilities. And something to plan for.

Let's see, for one, seeing how live evolves in universes (I'm just going to come up with multiple universes, if that's okay) with various different properties. For example, different interpretations of quantum mechanics (one where consciousness causes collapse, one with many worlds, etc.). Ones where time travel is possible, either with many worlds or with Novikov self-consistency or some other conception. One where there are no atoms and material can be split indefinitely, a fractal, where something the size of a water molecule could be an entire world in itself, filled with infinitely more. One with a controlled demiurge known to its inhabitants, to see how people act if they know God is real.

Though to be honest my ethics might prevent me. Oh well.

edited 31st Dec '10 11:38:06 AM by Tzetze

Let's see...

I think I'd start by creating dozens of Universes and giving them universe potential based on both my actions and the actions of any life there. Next I would create a verse of worlds and races much like Star Wars or Star Trek.

The next universe over I think I'd create a solar system of planets with technology on them but no life and see how humanoid life would fare fill a world left to them.

Next universe over I'd create Minerals that have power to them that are rare on some worlds and common on others, I'd also make it so that evolution is power packed and increased by certain types of rations these different minerals give off, but have said ration fade with exposure to that universe elements.

I'd also want to make another universe completely populated by alternate earths, each with life of it's own and only a few minor differences.

I'd also want to create an earth just like ours, people and all in time loop of the modern era, that I could keep reincarnating (if you will) in.

....and that's just the start.

My avatar selections should tell you all you need to know about the hellish blight of my hypothetical creation.

edited 31st Dec '10 1:19:57 PM by DarkDecapodian

I would build one universe, in which I would build an infinitely fast computer.

Then, I would simulate/run every universe. In no time at all.

edited 31st Dec '10 2:52:49 PM by Yej

But you would need infinite time to analyze them. And that's boring.

Infinitely fast computer, remember?

Well yes, but you are not infinitely fast! If you wanted to get all the information and things from these infinite universes, you would need to spend infinite time doing so.

You could make yourself an infinitely fast processor. Or state that the infinitely fast computer intrinsically inputs to your consciousness.

You are a God — invent loopholes in logic in your favor!

But you can't modify yourself. Though I suppose you could make a universe with something like yourself in it.

Unless Yej is omnipotent and omniscient, surely?

Assuming I am both those things within my universe... I would be an impersonal, unknown god. I would not be worshipped or make my presence known. I would create billions upon billions of big bangs, all vast distances apart. I would create centillions of centillions of stars and planets. I would create multiple parallel worlds, accessible via portals and wormholes and magic doors. I would create worlds within worlds. I would populate them with all kinds of creatures; Earth creatures, mythical creatures, creatures of my own imagination. I would let some life evolve naturally and create other life directly. I would create living things that could survive in space, living things with psychic powers, living things which would completely violate the square cube law, living things that could travel through dreams, or mirrors, or time. I would experiment with giving new civilisations advanced technology. Above all, I would try to make it beautiful - I would create lush forests and vast caves and towering crystal structures and blazing suns, and I would enjoy seeing people discover and explore the universe. I would not eliminate pain or predators or parasites, but I would ensure that all beings with a consciousness would enjoy a blissful afterlife for eternity, with the ability to explore a replica of the universe and become gods of their own universes if they so chose, and with the ability to escape into nothingness if they preferred.

If I wasn't omnipotent, I'd take a more cautious approach; I'd make a single world containing a single sapient species, at least at first, and it would be essentially a paradise, free from evil and suffering.

I would create different Universes where every type of human media ever and then first: live in my favorite media as the protagonist (I have Plot Armor since, yeah, I'm a god). Then once that gets boring, I'll create another Universe with physics exactly like our own, except that the inhabitants know loopholes and can essentially time travel and teleport with sufficiently advanced technology. Then, I'll wait until they're advanced enough to create their own worlds, where I will send a prophet who is undeniably my messenger. And then Clarke's 3rd law comes into play and then they are able to become like me.

c:.

I'd just make a whole heap of universes with various minor tweaks to the laws of physics at the start, and then just see how things play out. Maybe give some more dimensions of space, some less, different cosmological geometries, different strengths for the fundamental forces, and so on.

Basically, treat the whole thing as one big science experiment.

Well.

I would like to create a universe where magic and alchemy exists. Call me uncreative, but I would wish for that more than anything.

I would probably end up creating multiple universes and, if possible, move my consciousness (but none of my powers or memories) to a newborn kid in the universe so that I may see what it would be like to live in it.

I'm not sure if I'd even make humans. If I did though, I would essentially create the world and let it evolve without too much intervention. I might also break up different facets of my consciousness and manifest them on the planet as various demi-gods. They would mostly be animistic by nature; spirits of certain objects and elements, fairies, sprites, etc. Their main purpose is to advise human behavior by discouraging violence and promoting equality for all peoples.

I don't create a "plan" for any human. I let them forge their own life path. People with extremely bad karma reincarnate. They can view misdeeds of past lives by consulting the spirits. Everyone else goes to the afterlife. They are allowed to leave the afterlife at any time and choose to either cease all consciousness or reincarnate.

edited 1st Jan '11 1:23:02 AM by snailbait

Ah, that reminds me! I would probably create multiple sentient species, and see what happens. Will one wipe out the others? Will one enslave the others? Will they live out their lives in peace and harmony?

As well, I would create a lesser god for each of the species. Just for fun.

To several above questions: You're a GOD. No, you don't have to create what you think is evil, yes you're omnipotent and omniscient, and before someone wonders, yes you can experiment with non-Euclidian geometry.

This.

I'd stick with oblivion.

I'm not sure how you wouldn't be able to mess with non-Euclidean geometry. All you need are spherical or approximately spherical planets...

Redesign the structure of space and/or gravity to get cuboidal planets.

Sierpinski triangles!

I'd probably make an incredibly elaborate and ambitious plan for an amazing universe full of lifeforms and shit; then after discovering just how much effort goes into making one planet with life on it, I'd probably get bored and stop.