Simulation doesn’t require a plan. For example AI activity isn’t planned. It can’t be read from the outside.
I think your last statement is true in any case.
Discussion
I’d argue there’s a master plan in a simulation (the rule set), everything within the simulation plays out unplanned? You’re in charge of the subplot but within certain limitations…
A set of determined rules can lead to unpredictable behavior. Simple order can create chaos; for example, consider the chaotic pendulum. Interestingly, this works the other way around, too.
So, I’d prefer to look at it in terms of probability. Influencing some aspects to some degree, sometimes—yes, that’s possible. However, I’m not sure if this constitutes being "in charge."
Plus, if the set of rules is an emergent property of the system of interest, then the question becomes whether it is determined. Can it even be determined? By what?
Can’t argue with that. I don’t know the answer but I can’t wrap my head around how many “miracles” it would take to get “here” from “there”? It’s either zero or infinite? The craziest part for me…is that the miracle isn’t that we’re here, it’s the miracle that we notice that we’re here.
Absolutely. Consciousness is the absolute kicker. It is indeed all a miracle.