A question that has vexed physicists for the past century may finally have a solution – but perhaps not the one everyone was hoping for.

A team of physicists led by Mir Faizal at the University of British Columbia has demonstrated that the universe cannot be a computer simulation, according to research published in October 2025[1].

The key findings show that reality requires non-algorithmic understanding that cannot be simulated computationally. The researchers used mathematical theorems from Gödel, Tarski, and Chaitin to prove that a complete description of reality cannot be achieved through computation alone[1:1].

The team proposes that physics needs a “Meta Theory of Everything” (MToE) - a non-algorithmic layer above the algorithmic one to determine truth from outside the mathematical system[1:2]. This would help investigate phenomena like the black hole information paradox without violating mathematical rules.

“Any simulation is inherently algorithmic – it must follow programmed rules,” said Faizal. “But since the fundamental level of reality is based on non-algorithmic understanding, the universe cannot be, and could never be, a simulation”[1:3].

Lawrence Krauss, a co-author of the study, explained: “The fundamental laws of physics cannot exist inside space and time; they create it. This signifies that any simulation, which must be utilized within a computational framework, would never fully express the true universe”[2].

The research was published in the Journal of Holography Applications in Physics[1:4].

  1. ScienceAlert - Physicists Just Ruled Out The Universe Being a Simulation ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. The Brighter Side - The universe is not and could never be a simulation, study finds ↩︎

  • MourningDove@lemmy.zip
    81·
    2 days ago

    My take is that people that believe in a simulated universe aren’t much different than those the believe in a creator.

    It’s a nice easy to digest theory that removes the anxiety of uncertainty. and the existential dread of one’s nihilism inspired deep-dive into human mortality.

    It’s an oversimplified write-off concept that acts as a pacifier for anyone that doesn’t want to contemplate their place in the cosmos.

    Nothing more.

    • TempermentalAnomaly@lemmy.world
      1·
      2 days ago

      Even in their dismissal of the simulation, which I agree with, they return to a idealism.

      Lawrence Krauss, a co-author of the study, explained: “The fundamental laws of physics cannot exist inside space and time; they create it. This signifies that any simulation, which must be utilized within a computational framework, would never fully express the true universe”[^2].

      These laws are:

      1. Immaterial
      2. Transcendent
      3. Imminent
      4. Apriori
      5. Eternal