uniladtech homepage
  • News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Scientist plans experiment to prove we're living in a simulation

Home> Science

Published 09:19 15 Jan 2024 GMT

Scientist plans experiment to prove we're living in a simulation

A physicist is conducting an experiment of particles to test his theory about whether our reality is actually a computer simulation.

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/@Conor-Ryan / Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty
Science

Advert

Advert

Advert

Have you ever felt like life is a bit too much like a movie?

It's as if we're all unknowingly choosing the blue pill, blissfully unaware of the true nature of our existence.

Even Tesla's Elon Musk has previously said it's more likely we're living in a simulation than not.

At a conference in 2016, he proposed that the likelihood of us existing in a 'base reality' rather than a simulated one is extremely low – one in billions, he suggested.

Advert

One scientist might just be holding the metaphorical red pill in his hand.

Melvin Vopson, a physics professor at the University of Portsmouth, has a theory that we might all be living in a computer simulation, similar to that of The Matrix.

Vopson points to the laws of physics as a hint to living in a computer simulation / YouTube/@Conor-Ryan
Vopson points to the laws of physics as a hint to living in a computer simulation / YouTube/@Conor-Ryan

His theory is backed by several clues that point toward our existence being in a simulated reality.

For one, Vopson points to the laws of physics which resemble a set of computer code. Another clue is the limitations of the universe such as the speeds of light and sound.

Whilst particles – the building blocks of matter – could represent pixels in a digital image.

And the physicist isn't just keeping it as a wild theory either. Vopson is planning an experiment to answer the burning question of whether we're living in a simulation.

He intends to collide particles and their antiparticles to see if they emit a specific light frequency upon annihilation.

If they do, it could mean that these particles contain information trying to escape, which could very much provide proof for living inside a computer programme.

'All particles have “anti” versions of themselves which are identical but have opposite charge,' Vopson explained.

Vopson plans to combine particles with their antiparticles to test his computer simulation theory / Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty
Vopson plans to combine particles with their antiparticles to test his computer simulation theory / Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty

In his new book called 'Reality Reloaded: The Scientific Case for a Simulated Universe,' Vopson highlights that his simulation theory is 'inherently speculative.'

According to Vopson, one of the most convincing arguments for living in a simulation is the existence of symmetry.

Professor Vopson said: 'Symmetry is everywhere because it's how the machines 'render' the digitally constructed world.

'This abundance of symmetry, rather than asymmetry, in the universe is something that has never been explained.'

From the patterns on butterfly wings to snowflakes, this symmetry could be the result of a digital world created by computer machines.

Vopson continued: 'When we build or design things we have to use the most symmetric shapes to simplify the process.

'Just imagine building a house from bricks that are not the standard shape of a brick. If the bricks were in a totally irregular shape, the construction would be almost impossible or much more complicated.

'The same is when we design computer programs or virtual realities – and this maximises efficiency and minimises energy consumption or computational power.'

  • Neil DeGrasse Tyson believes we're all living in a simulation and there might be proof to back it up
  • Scientist uncovers 'chilling' proof that we're all living in an advanced AI simulation
  • 'Groundbreaking' new research reveals exactly what could mean we're living in a simulation
  • Scientist says we're 'on the brink of revolution' as major breakthrough in concrete battery is achieved

Choose your content:

22 hours ago
23 hours ago
a day ago
  • Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
    22 hours ago

    'Once-in-a-lifetime' view from plane passenger of Artemis 2 leaves people in complete awe

    Artemis II set off for the Moon earlier this week

    Science
  • Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
    23 hours ago

    See everything the Artemis 2 astronauts are seeing right now with mind-blowing live feed

    This is the first human crew to venture to the Moon in over 50 years

    Science
  • Jim WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
    a day ago

    Users spot huge difference between NASA's Artemis 2 craft and Elon Musk's SpaceX Dragon

    Artemis II is the first human-crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years

    Science
  • Anadolu / Contributor via Getty
    a day ago

    NASA under fire for 'unforgivable' Artemis 2 coverage as viewers notice awkward streaming glitch

    One of NASA's biggest moments was marred by a dodgy stream

    Science