Professor Melvin Vopson from the University of Portsmouth posits that our universe might be a virtual reality, with connections to biblical verses that could suggest an AI as the creator.
Universe Could Be a Computer Simulation, Claims UK Scientist
Portsmouth, England – The concept of living in a virtual reality has long been a fascination in both popular culture and scientific circles. Melvin Vopson, an associate professor in physics at the University of Portsmouth, has brought fresh attention to this intriguing hypothesis, suggesting that our entire universe might be an advanced computer simulation.
Professor Vopson posits that evidence supporting the so-called simulation hypothesis might be found in one of the most trusted religious texts in history: the Bible. In a recent discussion with MailOnline, Vopson stated, “The Bible itself tells us that we are in a simulation and it also tells us who is doing it. It is done by an AI – an artificial intelligence.”
Vopson references the Gospel of John, which opens with the profound verse: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” According to Vopson, this verse carries not only deep theological significance but also potential implications for understanding the universe as a simulated construct. He contends that ‘the Word’ might be an allegory for the computer code that operates the simulation.
Further extending his hypothesis, Professor Vopson interprets the phrase “the Word was God” to imply that God may not be separate from the simulation but rather an integral part of it, possibly even the AI running the code. This perspective, he suggests, offers a unique intersection where religious doctrine and scientific theory can coexist without conflict.
Vopson elaborates, “The code running the simulation is not separate from the divine but rather an integral part of it, perhaps an AI.” He also points to another passage in the Gospel of John: “All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made…” Vopson believes this verse further supports the simulation hypothesis, suggesting that a creator, akin to a divine programmer, could have brought the simulated universe into existence through coded instructions.
This speculative theory is the crux of Vopson’s new book, “Reality Reloaded: The Scientific Case for a Simulated Universe.” In his book, Vopson candidly states that he does not necessarily endorse this view wholeheartedly but considers it an “extraordinary observation that deserves attention.”
In drawing parallels to the iconic 1999 film “The Matrix,” where protagonist Neo discovers that his reality is an elaborate simulation, Vopson suggests that contemporary advances in artificial intelligence lend credence to this theory. The concept has fascinated other prominent thinkers as well, including Tesla founder Elon Musk and renowned astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson. Musk, during a 2016 conference, famously remarked that the odds of us living in a “base reality” – the original and real universe – are “one in billions.”
Professor Vopson ties this theory to observable phenomena in our universe. He highlights the prevalence of symmetry, ranging from flowers and butterflies to snowflakes, as an efficient way for the hypothetical machines running the simulation to save computational power. Additionally, he posits that restrictions on the speed of light and sound might resemble the limitations of a computer processor.
“The laws of physics are akin to computer code,” says Vopson, noting that elementary particles making up matter could be viewed similarly to pixels in a digital display.
While some may view these ideas as controversial or even sacrilegious, Vopson argues that the simulated universe hypothesis and religious beliefs about an omnipotent creator are not necessarily at odds. “This perspective aligns with religious beliefs that hold human life to be meaningful and purposeful, even within the context of a larger design,” he explains, suggesting that a belief in a simulated reality can complement rather than contradict religious doctrine.
Professor Vopson’s insights encourage a significant dialogue at the intersection of science, religion, and philosophy, inviting us to ponder the very fabric of our perceived reality.
Source: Noah Wire Services
