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Here is an explanation of Dust Theory from Wikipedia: "[Dust theory states that] there is no difference, even in principle, between physics and mathematics, an
by KerrickStaley 6y ago
Here is an explanation of Dust Theory from Wikipedia:
"[Dust theory states that] there is no difference, even in principle, between physics and mathematics, and that all mathematically possible structures exist, among them our physics and therefore our spacetime...The dust theory implies that all possible universes exist and are equally real, emerging spontaneously from their own mathematical self-consistency."
I think this does a pretty good job of summarizing the concept: the universe is simulatable, but there is nothing doing the simulation; it just exists as a pure mathematical object. All other possible universes that are simulatable (i.e. follow some mathematical model) are equally as real as ours.
- echelon 6y agoSo this is some kind of fancy many worlds theory? Except instead of branching on outcomes, we simply fill up possibility space with everything conceivable?
- KerrickStaley 6y agoYes, the assertion (as I understand it) is that not only do different branches of our own world exist, but so also do all other mathematically consistent universes, even if they follow different rules of physics.
- pbhjpbhj 6y agoNot familiar with the concept, but how does it square with Godels Incompleteness theory, is any mathematical universe even possible?
- drdeca 6y agoThere is no conflict. An antidote to common misunderstandings of Gödel’s incompleteness theorems may be to understand Gödel’s completeness theorem.
- a1369209993 6y agoThe closest GIT gets to being relevant is that some mathematical universes exist (or 'exist') that cannot be proven to exist. Alternatively - since Godel's Incompleteness Theorm is the same thing thing as the Halting Problem - some simulations that can't be proven valid (ie that each step of the simulation halts) are nonetheless valid.