Physicist: We are almost certainly living inside a computer simulation

[creekin111]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow...224525825.html

[SS-Block]

I've often thought we might be in a virtual reality, that mine was the only real intelligence, and everyone else was artificial intelligence. Even so, there's still the question relating to the origins of the real world's universe. The immediate world within which this virtual reality exists might itself be an artificial, or virtual reality -- "dream within a dream". I wonder which of the environments, if any, are we able to commit suicide without terminating our real self. With that in mind, Inception just became marginally more interesting to me.

[DaveyJoeG]

[The Postmaster General]

I've always been a fan of the 1991 book The Holographic Universe. It's a recount of the theories of David Bohm (a physicist) and Karl Pribram (neurophysicist). Basically the theory, similar to living in a computer program, is that the world exists as a construct in our brains. The difference being that there's no overseeing "programer" but instead that the world is really different than how we see it, and how we see it is basically based on how we were taught to see it. This is why children tend to see things that aren't there, some people see ghosts and so on.

The book is really intriguing, even from a cynic point of view. I'm really far from an expert in quantum math, string theory and the sort, but the writer makes a convincing argument of how the theory continues to be proven through advances in mathematics and research.

I enjoy it because it's not at all supernatural or new age-ish as it may seem when presented. It was something I passed up a lot of times because I thought it was going to just be a bunch of hippy mumbo-jumbo and it's not at all. It's mostly just based in psychology, with evidence backed up in science. I think it's an almost flawless theory, although perhaps more difficult to prove. Time and time again we see evidence of people seeing things differently than us, so why not that we are all seeing things differently than the way they really are.

I'm honestly surprised the book isn't more popular. It's very easily readable and doesn't promote any ideologies or belief systems. It's just a very cool and relatable concept. Honestly the more I try to describe it the more I feel I'm doing it a disservice because I haven't read it in maybe 12 years. Maybe it's time to pick it up again.

http://www.amazon.com/Holographic-Un.../dp/0062014102

[creekin111]

So wouldn't his test just be part of the sim too?

[The Postmaster General]

Originally Posted by creekin111

So wouldn't his test just be part of the sim too?

What test?

[The Postmaster General]

Seriously though, I don't really understand the assertion here. How is it different from just placing numeric values on natural causes and events? Hasn't the order of the universe been compared to a computer before and this is just taking that concept a step further?

[jolanar]

Sounds like some scientist just got done watching the 13th floor.

[adamjohnson]

There is no spoon.

[Bob Loblaw]

Whoa! What the fuck? If this turns out to be true then that means that there actually is a God. And he is a nerd.

[The Postmaster General]

My favorite comment under the article is the one that points out that it's only been a couple weeks since they legalized pot in Washington.

[DaveyJoeG]

Originally Posted by The Postmaster General

My favorite comment under the article is the one that points out that it's only been a couple weeks since they legalized pot in Washington.

That is hilarious!

[jaw2929]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoeG

Win. /Thread

[Kevin Lockard]

I've heard about this for a few years now. Seems ridiculous.

[Preston_79]

Be nice if it were true.

[Kevin Lockard]

So, if they're currently testing it, how long will it take? If it's true, does this mean they'll actually prove it soon?

[fixedMind]

Hubris. Nothing more.

[Digifruitella]

Originally Posted by The Postmaster General

I've always been a fan of the 1991 book The Holographic Universe. It's a recount of the theories of David Bohm (a physicist) and Karl Pribram (neurophysicist). Basically the theory, similar to living in a computer program, is that the world exists as a construct in our brains. The difference being that there's no overseeing "programer" but instead that the world is really different than how we see it, and how we see it is basically based on how we were taught to see it. This is why children tend to see things that aren't there, some people see ghosts and so on.

The book is really intriguing, even from a cynic point of view. I'm really far from an expert in quantum math, string theory and the sort, but the writer makes a convincing argument of how the theory continues to be proven through advances in mathematics and research.

I enjoy it because it's not at all supernatural or new age-ish as it may seem when presented. It was something I passed up a lot of times because I thought it was going to just be a bunch of hippy mumbo-jumbo and it's not at all. It's mostly just based in psychology, with evidence backed up in science. I think it's an almost flawless theory, although perhaps more difficult to prove. Time and time again we see evidence of people seeing things differently than us, so why not that we are all seeing things differently than the way they really are.

I'm honestly surprised the book isn't more popular. It's very easily readable and doesn't promote any ideologies or belief systems. It's just a very cool and relatable concept. Honestly the more I try to describe it the more I feel I'm doing it a disservice because I haven't read it in maybe 12 years. Maybe it's time to pick it up again.

http://www.amazon.com/Holographic-Un.../dp/0062014102

Thanks for bringing up this book, I've added it to my queue. That's why The Matrix is such a compelling film. I've always been fascinated with psychology, perception, and different levels of realities. It really does, on a logical level makes sense, and with majority of science backing up the theory that our brain is just like a CPU - it's not so new-agey afterall. Also, I think it was the first season of Through The Wormhole - where there was an entire episode dedicated to reality and one scientist had an interesting theory about how with the Moore's Law since CPU's double in performance every 18 months, there will come a time when they will be just as intelligent as our brains (if you discount idiots) so then who's to say who's even real?

Found it, here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=bRs72OXRLIc

here's another bit from Wormhole http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkJ6jbDh8M8

and an interview: http://www.vice.com/read/whoa-dude-a...-0000329-v19n9