Physicist Created An Algorithm That May Prove Reality Is A Simulation

Yikes, we’re going full The Matrix now! Well, I’d be really scared if it was true that we’re living a simulation as robots use us for batteries. Physicist Hong Qin from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has created a computer algorithm to predict the orbits of planets in the solar system. From the data of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, and Jupiter orbits, the algorithm can predict other planetary orbits. But what does that have to do with proving that our reality is a simulation? Big Think details on Qin’s work: 

Qin's work takes the approach of using "discrete field theory," which he thinks is particularly well suited for machine learning, while somewhat difficult for "a current human" to understand. He explained that "a discrete field theory can be viewed as an algorithmic framework with adjustable parameters that can be trained using observational data." He added that "once trained, the discrete field theory becomes an algorithm of nature that computers can run to predict new observations."

According to Qin, discrete field theories go against the most popular method of studying physics today, which looks at spacetime as continuous. This approach was started with Isaac Newton, who invented three approaches to describing continuous spacetime, including Newton's law of motion, Newton's law of gravitation, and calculus.

Qin believes there are serious issues in modern research that stem from the laws of physics in continuous spacetime being expressed through differential equations and continuous field theories. If laws of physics were based on discrete spacetime, as Qin proposes, "many of the difficulties can be overcome."

If the world works according to discrete field theory, it would look like something out "The Matrix," made of pixels and data points.

Image via Big Think