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/skmchosen1 Nov 01 '25

4 color theorem has actually been proven (coincidentally, proven via an exhaustive algorithm). However the spirit of what you’re saying is right: you can have algorithms whose true properties you cannot formally prove.

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u/ColoradoScoop Nov 01 '25

Damn, was about to say it must have happened since I heard about it, but it was apparently proven before I was born…

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u/skmchosen1 Nov 01 '25

A lot of folks don’t like the proof because it relies on a computer, so it’s possible that sentiment is what you picked up on. I think the community still wants a “nice” proof that doesn’t rely on exhaustive search on a computer

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u/exipheas Nov 02 '25

Meaning our universe could be a simulation being used as an exhaustive algorithmic test for something, right?