This has a beginning that you may find interesting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaspora_(novel)

Its a powerful fantastic idea, but Im personally concerned that our human and animal conciousness should probably not be equated with virtual representations, no matter how accurate or convincing certain renderings might get. Mostly because I would never be fearful of switching a simulation off - for its "own sake". Im concerned that people can feel the same way about each other, if they believe in the equality of computed feelings.

So you are worried that virtual representation will lead you to close off your empathy for humans?

The alternative is to extend it to the simulations.

I wrote "our human and animal conciousness should probably not be equated with virtual representations"

Your reply did not follow... no empathy.

I think I understood what you wrote. I just doubt that some people extending empathy to virtual personalities will lead to meaningful numbers of other people retracting it from humans.

I half expect powerful futuristic AI to figure out and enlighten us as to the specialness of our conciousness, the transience of simulations, and perhaps to define the special arrangements required to create life of similar importance to ourselves, should we really wish to do so... in the non-traditional way.

yes! I loved the description of how that AI is created and becomes self conscious!!!

Indeed. I would argue that this is actually a 270 byte demo, as knowing the title is essential to the full experience. :-)

It would probably have been seen as proof of aliens and/or time travel back then.