or we are in a simulation
Isn't the argument about simulation more about pondering the question "what is the fundamental nature of reality?", not "why is there life?". If you say that some beings are interfering with our simulation (either designing life, or preventing other life, etc...), that is just another word for god.
Because the Grad Students don't want it to, and act to prevent it? :-)
You just fiddle with the render distance so the sims think it's that big.