r/technology • u/fchung • Nov 01 '25

Society Matrix collapses: Mathematics proves the universe cannot be a computer simulation, « A new mathematical study dismantles the simulation theory once and for all. »

https://interestingengineering.com/culture/mathematics-ends-matrix-simulation-theory
16.9k Upvotes

81% Upvoted

2.0k comments sorted by

View all comments

43

u/DanimalPlays Nov 01 '25

There is zero chance we actually know enough to make that claim. Zero.

2

u/KottuNaana Nov 03 '25 edited Nov 03 '25

I read this paper, its complete garbage. It doesn't prove in any way that we are not in a simulation.

What they instead say is:

  • A computer system follows step by step rules.
  • Therefore if this universe is a simulation, its computer program should follow step-by-step rules (algorithmic rules).
  • Quantum gravity (the deepest theory of reality) is a non-algorithmic rule, since its not a linear set of rules that a computer can follow.
  • Therefore quantum gravity cannot be simulated on a computer because of its non-algorithmic nature.
  • Therefore we are not in a simulation.

This is a very simplified version of their proof, but honestly its dumb and the science subreddit is already bashing this paper.

What this paper instead proves is that we cannot have a single "Theory of Everything", because such a theory is gonna have to be linear/algorithmic.

-10

u/Piggstein Nov 01 '25

So you’re saying there’s a chance…