Our species is not going to last forever. One way or another, humanity will vanish from the Universe, but before it does, it might summon together sufficient computing power to emulate human experience, in all of its rich detail. Some philosophers and physicists have begun to wonder if we’re already there. Maybe we are in a computer simulation, and the reality we experience is just part of the program.
Modern computer technology is extremely sophisticated, and with the advent of quantum computing, it’s likely to become more so. With these more powerful machines, we’ll be able to perform large-scale simulations of more complex physical systems, including, possibly, complete living organisms, maybe even humans. But why stop there?
The idea isn’t as crazy as it sounds. A pair of philosophers recently argued that if we accept the eventual complexity of computer hardware, it’s quite probable we’re already part of an ‘ancestor simulation’, a virtual recreation of humanity’s past. Meanwhile, a trio of nuclear physicists has proposed a way to test this hypothesis, based on the notion that every scientific programme makes simplifying assumptions. If we live in a simulation, the thinking goes, we might be able to use experiments to detect these assumptions.
However, both of these perspectives, logical and empirical, leave open the possibility that we could be living in a simulation without being able to tell the difference. Indeed, the results of the proposed simulation experiment could potentially be explained without us living in a simulated world. And so, the question remains: is there a way to know whether we live a simulated life or not?
Note: Click Title Link For Complete Aeon Magazine Article by Matthew Francis
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Cliff Notes - The New York Times
Is The Universe A Simulation? by Edward Frenkel
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Zero-Knowledge Proof: Perfecting The Art Of Sensible Nonsense
In a watershed moment for cryptography, computer scientists have proposed a solution to a fundamental problem called “program obfuscation.”
Note: Quanta Magazine Article by Erica Klarreich
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Weird Science:
A Brief History Of Mind-Bending Ideas About Black Holes
Physicist Stephen Hawking made headlines recently by saying that black holes do not exist. Or they exist, but not how we think. Or something. The truth is complicated. In fact, to really understand where Hawking and the rest of the astrophysics community are coming from, it’s important to know a little history.
Note: Click Link For Wired Article By Adam Mann
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Watch: Three Ways an Astronaut Could Fall Into a Black Hole
Note: National Geographic Article by Charles Q. Choi & Graphics by Jason Treat, NG Staff
Source: Avery Broderick, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Waterloo, Canada
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More National Geographic:
Are We Living in a Black Hole?
Our universe may reside within a vast, black hole.
Article by Michael Finkel
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Weird Science Cont.: Evolution, You’re Drunk
DNA Studies Topple The Ladder Of Complexity
Amoebas are puny, stupid blobs, so scientists were surprised to learn that they contain 200 times more DNA than Einstein did. Because amoebas are made of just one cell, researchers assumed they would be simpler than humans genetically. Plus, amoebas date back farther in time than humans, and simplicity is considered an attribute of primitive beings. It just didn’t make sense...
Note: Click Link For Nautilus Magazine Article By Amy Maxmen
..................................................................................................................................................
A Valuable Reputation: A Scientist Takes On Big Agriculture
After Tyrone Hayes said that Atrazine, a widely used herbicide, was harmful, its maker Syngenta pursued and plotted ways to discredit him.
Note: New Yorker Article by Rachel Aviv
Modern computer technology is extremely sophisticated, and with the advent of quantum computing, it’s likely to become more so. With these more powerful machines, we’ll be able to perform large-scale simulations of more complex physical systems, including, possibly, complete living organisms, maybe even humans. But why stop there?
The idea isn’t as crazy as it sounds. A pair of philosophers recently argued that if we accept the eventual complexity of computer hardware, it’s quite probable we’re already part of an ‘ancestor simulation’, a virtual recreation of humanity’s past. Meanwhile, a trio of nuclear physicists has proposed a way to test this hypothesis, based on the notion that every scientific programme makes simplifying assumptions. If we live in a simulation, the thinking goes, we might be able to use experiments to detect these assumptions.
However, both of these perspectives, logical and empirical, leave open the possibility that we could be living in a simulation without being able to tell the difference. Indeed, the results of the proposed simulation experiment could potentially be explained without us living in a simulated world. And so, the question remains: is there a way to know whether we live a simulated life or not?
Note: Click Title Link For Complete Aeon Magazine Article by Matthew Francis
..................................................................................................................................................
Cliff Notes - The New York Times
Is The Universe A Simulation? by Edward Frenkel
One fanciful possibility is that we live in a computer simulation based on the laws of mathematics — not in what we commonly take to be the real world.
..................................................................................................................................................
Zero-Knowledge Proof: Perfecting The Art Of Sensible Nonsense
In a watershed moment for cryptography, computer scientists have proposed a solution to a fundamental problem called “program obfuscation.”
Note: Quanta Magazine Article by Erica Klarreich
..................................................................................................................................................
Weird Science:
A Brief History Of Mind-Bending Ideas About Black Holes
Physicist Stephen Hawking made headlines recently by saying that black holes do not exist. Or they exist, but not how we think. Or something. The truth is complicated. In fact, to really understand where Hawking and the rest of the astrophysics community are coming from, it’s important to know a little history.
Note: Click Link For Wired Article By Adam Mann
..................................................................................................................................................
Watch: Three Ways an Astronaut Could Fall Into a Black Hole
Note: National Geographic Article by Charles Q. Choi & Graphics by Jason Treat, NG Staff
Source: Avery Broderick, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Waterloo, Canada
..................................................................................................................................................
More National Geographic:
Are We Living in a Black Hole?
Our universe may reside within a vast, black hole.
Article by Michael Finkel
..................................................................................................................................................
Weird Science Cont.: Evolution, You’re Drunk
DNA Studies Topple The Ladder Of Complexity
Amoebas are puny, stupid blobs, so scientists were surprised to learn that they contain 200 times more DNA than Einstein did. Because amoebas are made of just one cell, researchers assumed they would be simpler than humans genetically. Plus, amoebas date back farther in time than humans, and simplicity is considered an attribute of primitive beings. It just didn’t make sense...
Note: Click Link For Nautilus Magazine Article By Amy Maxmen
..................................................................................................................................................
A Valuable Reputation: A Scientist Takes On Big Agriculture
After Tyrone Hayes said that Atrazine, a widely used herbicide, was harmful, its maker Syngenta pursued and plotted ways to discredit him.
Note: New Yorker Article by Rachel Aviv