Is quantum physics evidence of simulated reality?

Question

Nick Bostrom's 2003 paper "Are You Living in a Simulated Reality" proposes that it will be computationally feasible for post humans to create ancestor simulations that will be indistinguishable from reality by either the real or simulated participants. If many of these simulations are created then it is many more times likely that we are in one of simulations than in base reality.

He is not proposing a full scale simulation of the universe, but rather a simulation of very limited scale and granularity just good enough to fool us. It occurred to me that quantum physics is conveniently providing for these limits. Perhaps the real universe is continuous and the quantum is actually the limiting granularity of the simulation. The probabilistic nature of quantum physics would also simplify the simulation by replacing deterministic computation with random outcomes. It is also convenient that the probability function collapses only in response to an observation further reducing the need for detail.

http://simulation-argument.com/simulation.html

Answer 1

A second method to test for numerical simulation: http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.1847 A fuller explanation is given at http://www.technologyreview.com/s/429561/the-measurement-that-would-reveal-the-universe-as-a-computer-simulation/



Related: "The Self-Actualizing Cosmos," "The Self-Aware Universe," "God at the Speed of Light."

Answer 2

I don't know how it would be. Given mere comparison it is deducible.



A simulated universe can be infinite given Mandelbrot sets, and be more diverse in its AI life than our own.

Answer 3

That could be a possible explanation. BUT before you start to think it a good one, consider what other questions and assumptions it brings up. There would then be a whole other universe to deal with, and the assumption that there are beings there that would care to simulate a universe for their own reasons, and to make ours "flawed" in some way that we could see. And some other assumptions that I can't think of at the moment.



It makes a lot more sense to suppose that there is some explanation that resides within our own universe, and does not require supposing the existence of another, superior universe. Luckily, science has some ideas along these lines.



Consider Ancient Greece, the question of: "where does lightning come from?" They say ... "we have NO idea, this must be coming from Zeus, the head god." Now we have more down to earth ideas.