What about interpolation? Given two discrete points, e.g. pixels, what happens when you calculate the colour of a pixel in between with simple assumptions, like the colour is probably in between the two pixels.

If you downscale an image that is what you are doing, creating reality. We accept it because it’s an obvious predictor of reality.

Where things get a bit more hairy is in the non-obvious predictors of reality. Image zooming. Sharpening edges is pretty easy to predict but reconstructing facial details by zooming down below pixels is obviously bunk. What about everything in between? Like predicting a pulse by watching videos of your skin tone change imperceptibly (totally a thing).

Most people, even professionals, are just not ready to understand the idea of how we “create reality” on a daily basis, thanks to data science and predictive models. The only difference between the useful ones and not is their complexity and accuracy.