Physicists To Test If Universe Is A Computer Simulation

[timo9]

Originally Posted by FREKI

A cell - why simulate all that?

[timo9]

Originally Posted by SkyScraperRaper

Ummm, I don't think they will find any truth in this. Sorry but I can't really give this theory any credit.

Eff knows how we are here.....but that aint the answer.

I really wish I could know the answer to:

1. How did the Universe begin, what was before it, etc etc.
2. How did life - humans get here, how many planets in the universe contain intelligent life.

But annoyingly we probably won't ever know.

For now...it's just the big bang...loads of matter, badda bing badda boom we are here. A miniscule spec in a MAHUSSSIVE universe. There is a hell of a lot more to the universe than us. We are not even a spec of dust.

Bing bang is just a weird alternative for those who do not believe in God! with 1/100000000000000000000000000000 chance of success

[ramanujann]

Originally Posted by timo9

Bing bang is just a weird alternative for those who do not believe in God! with 1/100000000000000000000000000000 chance of success

Some people believe that the Big Bang theory (not the TV show ) is compatible with God because they say that God initiated it - "explosion" from which everything started...

[ramanujann]

Originally Posted by AnOldBlackMarble

The original article was about the idea that theoretically, a civilization, like ours, could become so advanced that they would be able to create a holographic simulation of their entire history, thus we are the simulation, and our descendants are the observers.

So this means that our future is predetermined because we are just a program in computer, a simulation of the past? But why do we have consciousness and can think if we are just a mere simulation?

[vkreso]

Well I still haven't read everything in this thread, don't have time on my hand right now, gotta go study, but I will later. The thing I wanted to mention is one of the principles of quantum mechanics, more precisely quantum entanglement with its Schrodinger's famous thought experiment (which says that a cat can be simultaneously alive and dead) and quantum superposition (which holds that a particle, more generally a physical system, exists partly in all its particular, theoretically possible states (or, configuration of its properties) simultaneously; but, when measured or observed, it gives a result corresponding to only one of the possible configurations from wiki).

These fundamentals of quantum mechanics have always reminded me of the philosophical question whether the moon exits when nobody perceives it. Since I first heard about this theory I wondered if the universe acted like a game, I wondered if the universe is constructing and deconstructing constantly with our observance of it. So what are your thoughts about this? Ever wondered the same thing?

Originally Posted by ramanujann

So this means that our future is predetermined because we are just a program in computer, a simulation of the past? But why do we have consciousness and can think if we are just a mere simulation?

Well not really, read about quantum indeterminacy.

[ramanujann]

Originally Posted by vkreso

These fundamentals of quantum mechanics have always reminded me of the philosophical question whether the moon exits when nobody perceives it. Since I first heard about this theory I wondered if the universe acted like a game, I wondered if the universe is constructing and deconstructing constantly with our observance of it. So what are your thoughts about this? Ever wondered the same thing?

If nobody perceives it (not only not seeing it, but also not perceiving its gravitational pull on us etc. - completely not perceiving it) than it doesn't exist. But this has nothing to do with quantum mechanics. Quantum superposition is a state as any other state, with the difference that when you observe it, it "collapses", which means you see only a particular branch (or part) of it. It's quite like when you look at the Moon and see only one side of it at a time, not both sides, however they both exist.

Originally Posted by vkreso

Well not really, read about quantum indeterminacy.

I know about it, but we are talking about a computer simulation of our universe, and that's the problem: you can't simulate the quantum effects, it's impossible in principle.

[FREKI]

Originally Posted by ramanujann

Some people believe that the Big Bang theory (not the TV show ) is compatible with God because they say that God initiated it - "explosion" from which everything started...

But it's not where everything started.. the energy that was condensed was there beforehand and the so was spacetime as we can see by measuring the mass that pulls on our universe creating the "dark flow"..

It's not a wonder that people who haven't read anything regarding reality are confused and might think magic is real, but it really is without excuses in this age.. making a deliberate choice to remain ignorant when information is widely available is a sign of stupidity!

[ramanujann]

Originally Posted by FREKI

But it's not where everything started.. the energy that was condensed was there beforehand and the so was spacetime as we can see by measuring the mass that pulls on our universe creating the "dark flow"..

Actually we don't know what existed before the Big Bang. Current theories allow us to extrapolate the expansion of the Universe backwards in time only to the Planckian scales where quantum effects become relevant and where the General theory of Relativity breaks down. In order to understand what exactly happens there we will need a quantum theory of gravity. Thus, now we can only speculate about what existed before the Big Bang because no one knows. But it's widely believed by physicists that before this singularity nothing existed, even space and time.

[FREKI]

^ the patterns in the Cosmic microwave background radiation show signs of temp and gravitation variations pre big bang that should not be ignored - just as the Dark Flow tugging from beyond our universe's expanding borders is a sign of matter that predates the big bang and that space-time spreads much further that originally expected..

[ramanujann]

Originally Posted by FREKI

^ the patterns in the Cosmic microwave background radiation show signs of temp and gravitation variations pre big bang that should not be ignored

The CMB was released around 300,000 years after the Big Bang, so the temperature fluctuations and different patterns in the CMB can provide us information about this first 300,000 years of the Universe's life after the Big Bang. Before the Big Bang nothing existed, not even space and time.

Edit: ok I see now, you are referring to the pre-big band cosmological models, like the ekpyrotic model in which the Universe didn't start in a singularity. But you shouldn't take these models too seriously yet. Currently the Big Bang model is the most widely accepted.

[_BPS_]

Originally Posted by FREKI

The proof is in the nature of the universe - if there had been room for magic it would have shaped in a dramatically different way..

Inductrination doing childhood may have you being open to the magic tales of your culture, but how about other fairy tales like Santa, the Easter Bully, trolls and giants, ghosts, teletubbies and fairies?

Do you - using your own logic - think they all possible exists on an equal level as what theology you follow..


We came to terms with Norse mythology a long time ago up here - why we call it mythology

If human history has taught us anything it is that there is ALWAYS a logical explanation, so of course I would not buy into something that is not physically possible

Many primitive tribes and uneducated people everywhere have been fooled time and time again into service, out of valuables and land by these tricks ( just look at the Vatican's basement and bankaccount )


Plus then comes the philosophical question of what the heck do we even owe any 'higher being' ?

I do not have any code in my DNA saying "property of Odin" I owe nothing to anyone and my work is for me, my family and my country..


I ask nothing of my turtles, my interest is their wellbeing, good conditions and good life - look at Earth and see if there any signs at anyone caring about us.. the only parts prospering are where people rely on themself and share their wealth

It's pretty telling that the more theology the worse places are off..

I don't see a single concept in your post proving the nonexistence of a higher-being.
And yes, concepts can be disproved (i.e. the concept that the earth is flat).

[_BPS_]

Originally Posted by AnOldBlackMarble

One that one I am with him one hundred percent. There is no chance in hell, or heaven, that a supreme being, a creator, etc. actually exists. No change.

What is this conclusion based upon? Surely you must have something to disprove it with, and please don't answer with "it hasn't been proven" because that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

[desiyogi]

Shouldn't the people who believe in a higher power provide scientific evidence of his existence (thus rationalizing their own belief) rather than criticize the non believers for not providing evidence to disprove the higher being's existence ?

[_BPS_]

Originally Posted by desiyogi

Shouldn't the people who believe in a higher power provide scientific evidence of his existence (thus rationalizing their own belief) rather than criticize the non believers for not providing evidence to disprove the higher being's existence ?

No. Read entire discussion before jumping in.

[desiyogi]

Originally Posted by _BPS_

No.

why not?
Please clarify?
It's a simple question.

[_BPS_]

Originally Posted by desiyogi

why not?
Please clarify?
It's a simple question.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=154

[desiyogi]

That's just a way to sideline my question which is totally relevant to what Freki was discussing the last two pages.

Originally Posted by FREKI

It's always the claimer who has to prove his or her claim - if you say there is a god YOU have to prove it, just as if you say the universe is simulated YOU have to prove it.. and if you say it may be simulated then you need to prove it possible..


Those who makes claims they can't back up with proofs are pure and simply liying fools and it doesn't fall on anybody else to prove their crazy imagination wrong as it's all in the claimers head!

[_BPS_]

Originally Posted by desiyogi

That's just a way to sideline my question which is totally relevant to what Freki was discussing the last two pages.

Your question is not just relevant but the exact same as two others I've replied to. So sit back and watch the show instead of repeating the same question again and again.

[desiyogi]

You should cool down and explain why you are so angry at a question that wasn't even asked specifically to you.

[_BPS_]

Not angry, just don't like to repeat same thing again and again.