Holographic theory is not the same as the universe being a simulation. I have only done basic reading and following of the idea but as I understand things, the

Holographic theory is not the same as the universe being a simulation. I have only done basic reading and following of the idea but as I understand things, the "holographic" universe is about figuring out how our experience is encoded in the fabric of the cosmos. It's another step in trying to find the universal equation that works at the big (gravity / relativity) and the small (quantum). If the holographic information is itself a simulation is another level of discussion entirely!