I disagree. It would simply mean that we're actually artificial intelligence. Why do you think an artificial being couldn't grasp that it's artificial? This is just a flipped over version of religion. Isn't it?

Of course, we wouldn't know what or whom. But, it would prove the universe has a maker. A God if you will. Of course that god could be a 10 year old with an ant farm.

Scientists say that when you keep cutting a piece of string in half eventually you won't be able to. At a very specific calculation the atoms involved lose locality. They call it the theory of non-locality. It loses the property of being able to cut it down the middle. This gives rise to the belief that we are in a virtual reality digital simulation. The Programming components are intricately linked.

Leading scientists getting backing from each other are saying the universe is like a gigantic hologram agreeing with David Bohm's Model that there is an explicate (enfolded) order in tangible everyday physical reality, and there is an implicate (unfolded) order, a more primary, deeper underly reality.

- Roger Penrose of Oxford, the creator of the modern theory of black holes;
- Bernard d'Espagnat of the University of Paris, leading authority on the foundations of quantum theory;
- Brian Josephson of the University of Cambridge, winner of the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize in physics.

Physicists May Have Evidence Universe Is A Computer Simulation

Physicists say they may have evidence that the universe is a computer simulation.

How? They made a computer simulation of the universe. And it looks sort of like us.

A long-proposed thought experiment, put forward by both philosophers and popular culture, points out that any civilisation of sufficient size and intelligence would eventually create a simulation universe if such a thing were possible.

And since there would therefore be many more simulations (within simulations, within simulations) than real universes, it is therefore more likely than not that our world is artificial.

Now a team of researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany led by Silas Beane say they have evidence this may be true.

In a paper named 'Constraints on the Universe as a Numerical Simulation', they point out that current simulations of the universe - which do exist, but which are extremely weak and small - naturally put limits on physical laws.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/10/11/physicists-may-have-evide_n_1957777.html

Interesting. If this is a simulation, anything is possible. It's just a matter of hacking into it and presto! Cold fusion!

Basically this universe has all of the symptoms and signs of being a simulation.

This particular universe is based on light. (particles, protons etc.) There could be other completely different kinds of universes in existence.

Artificial . . . as opposed to what?

i wonder why no one worried about this before computers and the matrix movies came out?

Who is worried?

I think it is extremely interesting. I'm not the least bit worried.

It means I'm just an avatar. An entity plugged into this reality game.

Kind of reminds me of a old Outer Limits Episode:

http://youtu.be/8uAGABz4R4s

good luck with that...

Thanks.?

Because before there were computers we didn't have the ability to simulate a universe. Now we do and it's being done. The Matrix film just brought it to the attention of the general public. I talked with friends about this possibility back in the 1980s.

To whatever is outside the fishbowl we're in.

What difference would it make???

Knowledge.

To know it would make a lot of difference towards the direction of scientific study.

A lot.

I don't see how such knowledge could make a practical/useful difference. I mean, what would have to change as a result that by virtue of changing would make the world a better place?

Knowledge always makes a useful difference. If you can't see how, well then, I'm sorry.

Not sure what you're sorry for. If I can't see how, and you're capable of seeing that of which I am blind, then by all means... explain.

If you cannot explain, or chose not to for whatever reason, then your apology is accepted.

I will try..

If we discovered for a fact that this universe was simulated, then we would know for a fact that it was intelligently created or designed by someone much like ourselves, and as we are just now beginning to discover how to create the same kind of simulated universe that may sometime in the future be used to support intelligent life forms who in turn would do the same thing, perpetuating life and universes for infinity.

It would mean that we in fact, are the creators. It would mean that we are responsible for the universe... not some single magical God entity to be worshiped, but our creators are our ancestors and they are scientists and programmers who possess a lot more knowledge and wisdom than we do.

It would lead to the study of other similar possibilities such as there being many other different kinds of universes that are also self perpetuating.

The possibilities are limitless.

We might discover that we are immortal intelligences who are simply plugged into and animating these digital life forms within these universes that we create like computer holographic worlds.

Heading in for the night...

Good to 'see' you JB. Hope you are well. Will give your recent answer it's due attention soon.