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This classic xkcd led me down a long rabbit hole years after reading it that ended in the belief that the universe itself is an abstract instantiation of pure mathematics, and exists only in the sense that any such self-consistent mathematical structure must exist from its own point of view. I won’t get into the details here because it’ll turn into a long incoherent rant, but the general gist is that the idea in the comic should work - but then that the rocks themselves aren’t even necessary: The fact that a universe can exist is enough for it to exist, even if no one ever simulates it. Just like the question “What is the 10⁽¹⁰100)th prime number?” exists and has a definite answer, even though nobody will ever and can never calculate it, the answer to “What does a universe, with these initial conditions, and these laws of physics, look like at t = 13.7 billion years?” has an answer too, and it looks like you reading this comment.

For Prodigy in particular, note that it is very much a kid’s show aimed at children. It’s fine Trek if you walk into it knowing and expecting that, but you need those expectations set beforehand. Think less “The Animated Series” and more “whatever Nickelodeon airs at 10am”.

No such disclaimer for Lower Decks. Jump right in blind. Works better the more traditional Trek you’ve seen.

It says you’re bound by “opening and using” the product, rather than “opening or using”. Have someone else open it for you. Then neither of you have done both.