Probability and consequences of living inside a computer simulation

2020/08/21 by Alexandre Bibeau-Delisle, Gilles Brassard, Gilles Brassard FRS · 4 citations
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Statistical Modeling Techniques #Eavesdropping #Probability distribution #Quantum #Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum computer #Quantum cryptography #Universe #cs.CR #cs.CY #physics.pop-ph #quant-ph

paper · pdf · open access · doi:10.1098/rspa.2020.0658

published in Proceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences 477(2247), 20200658 (Royal Society) · 17 pages, 2 figures, 1 table

arxiv created 2020/08/21 · openalex created_date 2020/09/01 · openalex publication_date 2021/03/01 · arxiv updated 2021/03/23 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

It is shown that under reasonable assumptions a Drake-style equation can be obtained for the probability that our universe is the result of a deliberate simulation. Evaluating loose bounds for certain terms in the equation shows that the probability is unlikely to be as high as previously reported in the literature, especially in a scenario where the simulations are recursive. Furthermore, we investigate the possibility of eavesdropping from the outside of such a simulation and introduce a general attack that can circumvent attempts at using quantum cryptography inside the simulation, even if the quantum properties of the simulation are genuine.

Citations

• Ultimate physical limits to computation
• The Fermi Paradox is Neither Fermis Nor a Paradox
• Are We Living in a Computer Simulation?
• A Measurement of Excess Antenna Temperature at 4080 Mc/s.
• Quantum cryptography: Public key distribution and coin tossing
• Full-field implementation of a perfect eavesdropper on a quantum cryptography system
• Simulating physics with computers