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Scientist Suggests We Explore 'Universe is a VR Simulation' Theory
holy_calamity writes "A New Zealand physicist has written a paper saying that physicists should seriously explore the possibility the universe is a giant virtual reality simulation. He says that the existence of quantum phenomena could be due to the underlying digital nature of the simulation and also claims his VR hypothesis can explain relativity, the big bang and more. It should be possible to perform experiments to prove the hypothesis too. He reasons that if reality was to do something that information processing cannot, then it cannot be virtual."
Before I can explore this theory, I need to re-pack the bong...
*cough*
Ok, ready!
"Quoting famous computer scientists out of context is the root of all evil (or at least most of it) in programming." - K
Do they give out Nobel prizes in the "Dude, I Am So Fucking High Right Now" category?
I propose that we, the /. community, establish a vacation fund for New Zealand physicists.
Let us not become the evil that we deplore.
Seems to me that if the universe is a simulation, then the obvious ending condition would be "when the residents figure out they're in a simulation". The creator of the simulation could be stretching his noodly appendages out towards the 'killall -9 universe' keys right now, now that this guy has gone and blabbed about it to everyone.
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
it's called paranoid schizophrenia
intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
To extend the hypothesis:
The entity[ies] running the simulation created it to find out whether their creations could work out that they're in a simulation. As soon as we come up with a definite proof, they will have achieved the goals of the simulation, and will shut it down.
Possibly.
Or they might just replace it with something even more baffling.
Why?
Space is big, you may think it is a log way to the Chemists but that is just peanuts compared to space.
And just how we simulate the computer running the simulation of the universe in the simulated universe?
The price of RAM will go through the roof.
See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
But if God is not a supernatural being, but merely a 5-dimensional mortal adolescent with a penchant for programming 4d universes in his spare time, is it still a religion?
End of lesson. You may press the button.
THE CAKE IS A LIE!
-Rick
"Most people in the U.S. wouldn't know they live in a tyrannical state if it walked up and grabbed their junk." - MyFirs
We are all aware that the senses can be deceived, the eyes fooled. But how can we be sure our senses are not being deceived at any particular time, or even all the time? Might I just be a brain in a tank somewhere, tricked all my life into believing in the events of this world by some insane computer? And does my life gain or lose meaning based on my reaction to such solipsism?
Project PYRRHO, Specimen 46, Vat 7
Activity Recorded M.Y. 2302.22467
TERMINATION OF SPECIMEN ADVISED
"I only speak the truth"
Karma: null(Mostly affected by an unassigned variable)
Even if you come up with a clever test that would pierce the illusion, one would have to assume whoever maintains the illusion would simply fix it so that didn't work a second time.
That, or they call it a "feature".
Does it make you happy you're so strange?
Tech: Sir, Universe #4598232 has achieved self awareness. Bringing up it's stats on the monitor now.
God: Hmmmm.....15.5 billion years? Took them long enough.
Tech: Yes sir. Shall I transfer them over with the other sentients?
God: What's the status of the species that figured it out?
Tech: They call themselves "Humans" sir, a bipedal mammalian race. They've been out of the trees for a few hundred thousand years so far, can control fission but not fusion, only live for about 100 years, and have just recently had unmanned spacecraft pierce their own solar system.
God: Good Me, is that it? What the hell have they been doing this whole time?
Tech: Mostly fighting amongst themselves judging by their media.
God: Yes, I see. Nasty little buggers aren't they? No, we can't risk contaminating the other sentients with this lot, schedule the universe for wiping and reload the OS. Let's go ahead and move this one from the mammalian test group to energy beings, it's looking like energy-based lifeforms might be the way to go, I'd like to get a larger sampling.
It's VRs all the way down!
Yup. Just turtles, all the way down
I don't care why you're posting AC
When I'm running a simulation, I don't change the "rules" in mid-run if it goes wonky, I kill it & re-start after fixing the problem. So let's not run this particular experiment, m'kay?
1984 was supposed to be a warning, not an instruction manual.
Meh.. The Buddha figured this stuff out 2500 years or so before The Matrix.
but, what if this is a simulation of a simulation.
This is just like playing virtual ski ball!
"In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women..." -H. Simpson
>I'll never forget my spirit trying to resync with my body as my chest pumped up and down. Two very distinct and separate entities. Surreal to say the least.
I once had a very similar experience after drinking a bottle of Robitussin.
-- Give me ambiguity or give me something else!
I completely disagree. The calculus on the simulation argument is surprisingly solid when you think about it (Bostrom, for instance, has some pretty good arguments for it).
And the answer to the equation is, of course, 42.
mcgrew's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest
Just say "Computer, Arch!". Damn, no arch. Must not be a simulation.
-=JML=-
It's watchmakers all the way up.
where do i click to change my wifes avatar
Does it run under linux?
My wife's sketchblog Blob[p]: Gastrono-me
The Universe is a pinball machine... Great changes happen in this universe when its creator/Creators hit the pinball machine with their hips...
Tilt = end of game
Reset = New Universe, New Game
Proof? Using flippers to keep the ball in play, only its not you controlling them...
Nuff said!
There I was, installing "Duke Nukem Forever" on my PC, and then suddenly here I am. And I didn't even get a shotgun.
Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
JWSmythe wrote:
That's because Jesus is going to obliterate your immortal soul, you filthy atheist! You're so dumb, can't you see that there's absolutely no point at all in living if you don't live forever?! But if you live forever then there's an infinite times as much point as that! Isn't that great?! When will you realise that if you don't worship Yahweh, then you are an evil Satanist who deserves to be burnt alive while maggots eat out your eyes? It must be true, 'cause it says so in the Bible! But if you worship Yahweh, then he will graciously refrain from burning you do death! What a guy, eh?! He killed his son for you, remember? It's not just anyone who'd do that! Us Christians can only aspire to be so virtuous!
P.S. Jesus loves yo mama.