The universe, as we know it, might be too complex for any cosmic computer simulation, according to a recent study. The research, published in the Journal of Holography Applications in Physics, suggests that the very nature of reality, grounded in mathematics and physics, makes it impossible for any algorithm to replicate it perfectly. This is because reality operates on a level of understanding that transcends algorithmic comprehension, as explained by the researchers. Drawing on mathematical concepts like Gödel's incompleteness theorem, the study posits that no set of axioms or algorithm can fully capture all true facts about numbers. For instance, an algorithm would struggle with the statement 'This true statement is not provable' - if it were provable, it would be false and illogical, but if it weren't provable, it would be true, yet how could an algorithm compute such a statement? This highlights the inherent limitations of computation in capturing the full complexity of mathematical truths. The study implies that there's a deeper layer of reality, an 'information-based foundation', that computation alone cannot fully grasp. Human mathematicians can understand 'Gödelian' truths, like the aforementioned statement, but computers cannot. This suggests that the universe, with its non-algorithmic foundation, cannot be simulated. The research also hints at the possibility that a 'theory of everything', a holy grail for physicists, might not be achievable through algorithmic means. This theory, according to the study, operates beyond computation, and if a complete understanding of reality were to exist outside formal rules, it would be illogical to assume its existence through computation alone. The paper invites contemplation on the universe's natural complexity, prompting readers to consider the potential limitations of human understanding and the possibility of a reality that transcends our current computational capabilities.
