• 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
  • 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

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.

Advert

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.

Advert

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.'

Advert

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.

Advert

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.'

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/@Conor-Ryan / Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty
Science

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • spawns/Getty Images
    9 hours ago

    How single drop of toxic metal led to teacher's agonizing death 10 months later

    The chemical seeped through her latex glove and made its way into her bloodstream

    Science
  • Michael Buckner / Contributor / Getty
    10 hours ago

    Expert issues horrifying warning over Elon Musk's billion-dollar company that could have disastrous impact on Earth

    To environmental disaster...and beyond

    Science
  • Bronte Wittpenn/Bloomberg via Getty Images
    10 hours ago

    Elon Musk makes major announcement after huge SpaceX breakthrough

    Musk hopes to establish a colony of humans on Mars by the mid 2030s

    Science
  • OsakaWayne Studios via Getty
    11 hours ago

    Groundbreaking 'super vaccine' that could stop cancer in its tracks under development

    The promising results raise hope for human cancer prevention

    Science
  • Scientist says we're 'on the brink of revolution' as major breakthrough in concrete battery is achieved
  • Researcher explains why he thinks we're living in a simulation controlled by a 'master AI'
  • Scientist uncovers 'chilling' proof that we're all living in an advanced AI simulation
  • Physicist says he's found proof we're living in a simulation after studying deadly disease