Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Scientist Suggests We Explore 'Universe is a VR Simulation' Theory

Posted by Zonk on from the what-would-we-do-if-he's-right dept.

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."

10 of 1,144 comments (clear)

  1. Before we explore this theory... by carpe_noctem · · Score: 5, Funny

    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
  2. A question... by Mr.+Bad+Example · · Score: 5, Funny

    Do they give out Nobel prizes in the "Dude, I Am So Fucking High Right Now" category?

    1. Re:A question... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Do they give out Nobel prizes in the "Dude, I Am So Fucking High Right Now" category? It would seem so
  3. Vacation by Facetious · · Score: 4, Funny

    I propose that we, the /. community, establish a vacation fund for New Zealand physicists.

    --
    Let us not become the evil that we deplore.
  4. bad idea by syrinx · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.
  5. Re:1637 called, they want their idea back. by Kenshin · · Score: 4, Funny

    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?

  6. Re:not quite a paradox but.. by multisync · · Score: 4, Funny

    but wait, what if that real universe is just a virtual reality simulation.. and on and on and on..


    Yup. Just turtles, all the way down ...
    --
    I don't care why you're posting AC
  7. Re:1637 called, they want their idea back. by Curtman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Meh.. The Buddha figured this stuff out 2500 years or so before The Matrix.

  8. Re: it's programmed to be this way by EllisDees · · Score: 4, Funny

    >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!
  9. A Quick Test to find out if this is a simulation.. by theJML · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just say "Computer, Arch!". Damn, no arch. Must not be a simulation.

    --
    -=JML=-