The whole novel is written as a response to that question. I think the author did a great job playing through his ideas and he was logically consistent about it. Perhaps others are expecting some deep answers which I think is silly. The story was written as a what if not an answer to life. Anyone going in expecting some deep insight into reality is a fool. Sure some folks will have this book be their first exposure to simulation theory but every day is the first day someone hears an idea, don’t rag on a well told story because you’ve heard the theme before and have become numb to it.