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arXiv:1210.1847hep-ph

Constraints on the Universe as a Numerical Simulation

Silas R. Beane, Zohreh Davoudi, Martin J. Savage

Abstract

Observable consequences of the hypothesis that the observed universe is a numerical simulation performed on a cubic space-time lattice or grid are explored. The simulation scenario is first motivated by extrapolating current trends in computational resource requirements for lattice QCD into the future. Using the historical development of lattice gauge theory technology as a guide, we assume that our universe is an early numerical simulation with unimproved Wilson fermion discretization and investigate potentially-observable consequences. Among the observables that are considered are the muon g-2 and the current differences between determinations of alpha, but the most stringent bound on the inverse lattice spacing of the universe, b^(-1) >~ 10^(11) GeV, is derived from the high-energy cut off of the cosmic ray spectrum. The numerical simulation scenario could reveal itself in the distributions of the highest energy cosmic rays exhibiting a degree of rotational symmetry breaking that reflects the structure of the underlying lattice.

arXiv comments
14 pages, 3 figures
Journal reference
DOI
doi:10.1140/epja/i2014-14148-0
Subjects
hep-phHigh Energy Physics, Phenomenology astro-ph.HEHigh Energy Astrophysical Phenomena hep-latHigh Energy Physics, Lattice hep-thHigh Energy Physics, Theory quant-phQuantum Physics

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Linked by 10 identifiable commenters in 11 comments across 10 threads, from Oct 2012 to Jul 2021. Found in 3 HN submissions from Oct 2012 to Oct 2016. Open submission discussions.

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Discussed in comments10 threads

  1. Megaverse: Simulating Embodied Agents at One Million Experiences per Second 1 comment

    • In that direction there was an idea a few years ago about detecting if on a very small scale we can observe any grid-alignment effect. https://arxiv.org/abs/1210.1847 I think there was another paper about similar grid-alignment idea for some properties of galaxies, but I can't…

      viraptorView on HNParent context

  2. Physicists and Philosophers Debate the Boundaries of Science 1 comment

    • > The apparatus would necessarily exist within the closed system. does being in a multiverse influences our world in any way using current theories? yes > we can eventually figure out and run an experiment no > then studying it is as productive as searching the Russel's teapot…

      LoSboccaccView on HNParent context

  3. Creationism Banned from Science Classes by Scottish Government 1 comment
  4. The Most Terrifying Thought Experiment of All Time 1 comment

    • The cost of simulating entire universe becomes increasingly expensive to the point you need a universe of energy to simulate a universe. Daniel Dennet in his "Consciousness Explained" makes a good argument why this is so. Also there was some research done on the constraints on…

      super_marioView on HNParent context

  5. Is the Universe a Simulation? 2 comments

    • http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.1847 This comment is a response to a bunch of the comments in this thread, but it didn't make sense to scatter the information throughout the page. The way lattice QCD [0] works requires a few approximations in order to fit the problem into your…

      evanbView on HNParent context

    • http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.1847 and see my top-level comment for more detail.

      evanbView on HNParent context

  6. Physicists To Test If Universe Is A Computer Simulation 1 comment
  7. Do we live in a computer simulation? UW researchers say idea can be tested 1 comment

    • ArXiv paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.1847 This work attempts to draw out the presence of a simulation by looking for tiny violations of known/expected symmetries, which is always worth doing. We should note, however, that an excellent simulation could exactly cover its tracks…

      ISLView on HNParent context

  8. Photo of a Nuclear Explosion Less than 1 Millisecond After Detonation 1 comment

    • See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greisen%E2%80%93Zatsepin%E2%80%... http://www.technologyreview.com/view/429561/the-measurement-... http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.1847 http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/hindawi-publishing-corporation/a-...

      joshwaView on HNParent context

  9. How to Tell If the Universe Is a Computer Simulation 1 comment
  10. The Measurement That Would Reveal The Universe As A Computer Simulation 1 comment

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