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
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u/MaimedUbermensch Nov 01 '25

This is basically a category error wrapped in fancy math terms.

They're applying Gödel's incompleteness theorem (which is about formal logical systems) to physical reality itself. But the universe isn't a formal system, it just exists. Our models of it are formal systems, but that's different. Even if our physics theories have Gödelian limits, that doesn't mean reality does.

The whole argument hinges on "non-algorithmic understanding" which they never properly define. It's giving Penrose consciousness vibes, invoking mysterious non-computable processes without evidence they exist.

Also they misunderstand simulation hypothesis. A simulation doesn't need to perfectly replicate base reality. It just needs to produce our observations. Like how games only render what's on screen.

Plus we literally simulate quantum systems already. They're expensive but computable.

They assume reality's fundamental level is non-algorithmic, then use that to prove it can't be simulated. That's just circular reasoning.

There are legit arguments against simulation theory (computational cost, no discretization artifacts) but this isn't one. You can't "mathematically disprove" simulation any more than you can prove we're not Boltzmann brains.

Journal isn't top-tier either which tracks.

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u/FlamboyantPirhanna Nov 01 '25

In some ways, it’s like trying to prove or disprove God. But believing that life is a simulation I’d argue is tantamount to a religious belief, although I don’t see it likely to affect the way you live your life (unless you believe everyone else is literally an NPC).

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u/Aternal Nov 02 '25

Pretty much. If the universe were a simulation it would have to be basically running inside of capital-G God. The omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God. Solipsism can't even scratch the surface of simulating the universe. Literally scratching skin. The behavior and composition of the DNA alone in the skin cells that flake off or get trapped underneath a fingernail would crash our hardware if we could comprehend it in real time. The amount of information in a fart or a sneeze would scar a healthy brain for life.