In large scale computing, a server will have VERY powerful hardware. You can run multiple VMs on that one machine, giving a slice of that power to each VM so that it basically ends up with multiple individual computers running on one very powerful set of hardware instead of building a ton of individual.

Have you tried a sensory deprivation tank? Sounds right up your alley.

Very possibly. In iOS 17 there have been large amounts of structure put in place to allow for turning specific features off and on relative to the location.