In 2016, during the Code Conference, Elon Musk launched one of the most commented phrases: “The chances of being in the basic reality is one of thousands of million.” With this statement, the businessman did not tell about rockets or electric cars, but about the possibility that the whole universe is a modeling created by a more advanced civilization. Since then, the idea has ceased to exclude academic circles and became part of the popular culture.
Although Musk is not the creator of the hypothesis, he put it in the media discussion. What seemed before speculation for philosophers or theoretical physical physical ones is discussed today in an interview, social networks and online forums. Comparing with video games just understand in the era marked by virtual reality and digital worlds.
Musk’s argument relies on technological evolution: four decades ago were only PongOne of the first video games. Today millions of people are involved in 3D models with realism growth. When the trend continues, it explains, there will be a moment when the difference between modeling and real life will be impossible to distinguish. In this scenario, it is logical to think that an advanced civilization could already develop this ability.
Swed Do you live in computer modeling?. There he raised three opportunities: in that no civilization develops such a technological level; They really reach this, but decide not to use it; Either what the modeling already exists and that we enter one of them without knowing it.
For Musk, the third stage is the most likely. In fact, he said his reasoning was founded directly on the proposal of Bastrom, convinced that the chances of life in “basic reality” is minimal.
The discussion was not alone in the philosophical plane. Different groups of physicists tried to seek signs that could discover whether the universe is modeled. For example, Mit researchers and Bono University raised experiments to find out if there are structural restrictions comparable to the screen.
Some projects even had NASA cooperation, analyzing the deviations in quantum physics that could be interpreted as programming errors. Although no final evidence has been found, a simple opportunity has opened a new study line that combines physics, computer science and philosophy.
Modeling hypothesis found the perfect vehicle in mass culture Matrix (1999). The film showed millions of viewers the idea that reality could be hidden behind the digital code. Elements such as the choice of red pills and blue, or the rain of green characters, became universal symbols of this theory.
Even if the evidence is small, the question is kept: if we really live in modeling, who is behind it? This question is more scientific, related to religious and philosophical issues about the existence of the creator or upper essence.
For now, The hypothesis does not come from the assumption. However, the most fact that it is discussed in universities, laboratories and technological forums, shows how the progress of science has even led to rethinking the nature of reality. Among the philosophy, physics and popular culture, the idea that our lives can become part of a computer program has become one of the most entertaining discussions of the 21st century.
