I imagine it being more academic. It would take an enormous amount of power to create a simulation like this so my guess is, the civilization running the simulation has a much better understanding of the universe and rather than experimenting in their own world they created one. I also like the idea of a future civilization discovering humans after we have gone extinct and having enough information to create a simulation to watch it happen.
My all time favorite is Blood Waters of Dr. Z. It is unhinged from beginning to end in the best kind of way. The story is bonkers, the special effects and makeup are awful and the acting is worse but it’s all so good.
And to all the people new to MST3K you get the obligatory Pod People recommendation.