[ExI] Simulation argument again (was Re: Computronium planet.)

[The Avantguardian]

----- Original Message -----
> From: Giulio Prisco <giulio at gmail.com>
> To: ExI chat list <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org>
> Cc: 
> Sent: Friday, October 12, 2012 9:52 AM
> Subject: Re: [ExI] Computronium planet.
> 
> Recently a friend observed that if our universe is the fastest machine
> able to compute itself (this assumption seems necessary to avoid
> causality violation paradoxes), then our matter is _already_
> computronium, and we just cannot squeeze more computing power out of
> it.

Here is a cool paper that borders on experimental metaphysics or an empirical test to see if there is a Creator. Physicist Silas Beane, at the University of Bonn in Germany, shows how simulated beings could use observable properties of fundamental particles to figure out if they are being simulated. He proposes tests based on the assumption that a simulation would have to run on a [hyper]cubic lattice and that the lattice should be detectable by scientific methods.  He goes on to calculate limits on the spacing or resolution of the hypothesized lattice using the fine structure constant and anomolous magnetic moment of electrons and muons.

He further suggests that if the lattice is comparable in scale to the Greisen–Zatsepin–Kuzmin or GZK limit in the energy spectrum of cosmic ray particles, then a directional anisotropy or rotational symmetry breaking in the distribution of cosmic rays should be detectable. In other words, if cosmic rays near the GZK energy limit seem to come preferentially from the orthogonal axes of the lattice instead of displaying spherical symmetry, it would provide evidence that we are indeed living in a simulation:

Popular science translation:

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/429561/the-measurement-that-would-reveal-the-universe-as/

Original article:

http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.1847



Stuart LaForge


"Prisons are built with stones of Law. Brothels with the bricks of religion." - William Blake