 probabilistically, then in theory a program could simulate it. This hypothesis doesn't say the universe is a computer but that it could be simulated by one, i.e. it does not contradict objective reality. Brian Whitworth Quantum Biosystems 2010, 2 (1) 221-249 229 This "thin edge of the wedge" could be falsified by a non-computable law of physics, but so far none has been found. The calculating universe hypothesis states that the universe somehow uses information processing algorithms in its operations, e.g. quantum mechanical formulae. Supporters of this view include mainstream physicists like John Wheeler, whose phrase "It from Bit" suggests that objects ("it") somehow derive from information ("bit"). Now information processing doesn't just model the universe, it attempts to explain it (Piccinini, 2007). While a computer simulation compares its output to the physical world, now that processing creates reality is a theory about how the world actually works. The world isn't just like a computer, but to some degree at least, it is a computer. This option would be unlikely if computer simulations of physics gave no value, but they do. The calculated universe hypothesis goes a step further, stating that all physical reality arises from information processing outside itself. This is the virtual reality conjecture, that the physical world is nothing but processing output. Supporters of this "strong" virtual reality theory are few (Fredkin, 1990), with none in mainstream physics. Due to its existential cost, it will not even be considered unless it explains what nothing else can, as this paper argues it does. These then are the three options of information processing in physics. 2.6 The world is not a computer The above three statements cumulate, as each requires the previous to be true. If the universe is not calculable it cannot calculate its operations, and if its operations can't be calculated then it can't be a calculated reality. They are also a slippery slope, as if physical reality is calculable then it could be calculating, and if it is calculating then it could be calculated, i.e. virtual. Currently, the calculating universe hypothesis is presented as the best option, mid-way between the normalcy of an objective universe and the shock of a virtual one: "The universe is not a program running somewhere else. It is a universal computer, and there is nothing outside it." (Kelly, 2002) Some explicitly suggest a universal quantum computer embedded in our space-time: "Imagine the quantum computation embedded in space and time.
probabilistically, then in theory a program could simulate it. This hypothesis doesn't suppose the population is a computer but that it could be simulated by one, i.e. it does not oppose objective world. Brian Whitworth Quantum Biosystems 2010, 2 (1) 221 - 249 229 This " thin edge of the wedge " could be interpolate by a non - computable law of physics, but thus far none has been found. The calculating universe guess states that the universe somehow uses information processing algorithm in its operations, e.g. quantum mechanical formula. Supporters of this view admit mainstream physicists like John Wheeler, whose phrase " It from Bit " hint that objects (" it ") somehow derive from data (" bit "). immediately information processing doesn't precisely model the universe, it attempts to explain it (Piccinini, 2007). While a calculator simulation compares its output to the physical world, now that processing creates reality is a theory about how the world actually works. The world isn't just like a computer, but to some degree at least, it is a computer. This option would be improbable if computer simulations of purgative render no value, but they dress. The calculated universe guess goes a dance step further, stating that all forcible reality arises from information processing outside itself. This is the virtual reality conjecture, that the physical world is nothing but processing output. Supporters of this " strong " virtual reality hypothesis are few (Fredkin, 1990), with none in mainstream physics. Due to its experiential cost, it will not even be considered unless it explains what nothing else can, as this paper argues it does. These then are the three choice of information processing in physics. 2.6 The world is not a calculator The above three statements accumulate, as each requires the previous to be true. If the universe is not calculable it cannot calculate its operation, and if its operations can't be calculate then it can't be a calculated world. They are also a slippery slope, as if physical reality is calculable then it could be account, and if it is calculating then it could be calculated, i.e. virtual. presently, the calculating universe hypothesis is presented as the best option, mid - way between the normalcy of an objective universe and the shock of a virtual one: " The universe is not a program running somewhere else. It is a cosmopolitan computer, and there is nothing outside it. " (Kelly, 2002) Some explicitly propose a universal quantum computer embedded in our space - time: " Imagine the quantum computation embed in space and time.
 prlbabilistically, then in uheory a program eiuld smmulate it. This hypothesis doesn't say the uiiveese iw a computer but that kt could he simulqted vy one, i.e. mf does kjt ckktradncv objective reakity. Brian Whitworth Quattjm Biosystems 2010, 2 (1) 221-249 229 This "thin edge of ehe wedbe" could be falsyfiec by z non-computable law of physics, but so far none has beem found. The calculating unlverde hypothesis statfs that the unidwrse somehow uses infogkation prodessing algorithms in its operagions, e.g. quantun necjdnical formnlae. Slpporters of bnis viaw inclide mainstream phbsicusts like John Wheelec, whose phrase "It frjm Bit" sucgzsts that objects ("it") wonehow derhve weom inrocmafion ("blt"). Iow informafion proceswing doesn't just mocej the universe, it ateeipts to explain it (Piccinini, 2007). While a cmmphter simulation comparew its output to the pjysical wjrld, now that processing creates reality is a themry auojt kiw thd wlrld actually works. The world isn't just like w cpmiuter, but to some degree at kewsy, it is a compoter. Thna kption would be unpikely yf conputer siiulayions of physics gave no vaoue, but they eo. The calculated bniverse hyputhexis gpes a step further, statnng thzt all physlcal realjgy arises from ivfogmathon proctrsing outside itsqlf. This ms thz virtuau reslity sonjecture, that the physical world is nltving but pgocessing output. Supporters of viis "strong" vittudl geality tkeory sre few (Fredkyn, 1990), with none nn mainscream ohysics. Duv to its xxistential sost, it will tlt even be cmnsidereq unoess it expuxins what nothong else bau, as this paper argues it dpes. Fhese then are cke three options pf knfjrlavion [socessing in phyricr. 2.6 The world is nig a vomputer The above tvree statements cumulaye, as each requiref the previoux to be true. If tht univxrse ir not cajculable it cannot calculate ifs operatlonf, and if its opevatijns can't bz calculated then it can't be a calculatev reality. They are also a slippery slope, ax if physicak reajity is cdlculable then it coyld be calculatinn, and if it is calculafing tven ih could be calculated, i.e. virtual. Currently, the calculating universe hypotyesis ms presented zs tne bevt pption, mid-xab between the norkalcy of an objective universe end the shmch of a virtual one: "The univetsd is not a prugram running somewhere slse. It os a universal computer, and thete is nothing outside it." (Kelly, 2002) Wome sxplicpjly suggest a universsl quautum cimputer embcdded in our soacr-tlme: "Imaginf tht qucntum computation embedded in spaxe and tlme.
probabilistically, then in theory a program could This doesn't say universe is a be by one, i.e. does not contradict reality. Brian Whitworth Quantum Biosystems 2010, (1) 221-249 229 This "thin edge of the wedge" could be falsified by non-computable law of physics, but so far none has been found. The calculating hypothesis that universe uses information processing algorithms in its operations, e.g. quantum mechanical formulae. Supporters of this view include physicists like John Wheeler, whose phrase "It from suggests that objects ("it") derive from information ("bit"). Now processing just model universe, attempts explain it (Piccinini, While a computer simulation compares its output to the physical world, now that processing creates reality is theory about world actually The isn't like a computer, some degree at least, it is option would be unlikely if computer simulations of gave no but they do. The calculated universe goes a step further, stating that all physical arises from information processing outside itself. This is the virtual reality conjecture, that the physical nothing but processing output. of this "strong" reality are (Fredkin, with none mainstream physics. Due to its existential cost, it will not even considered unless it explains what nothing else can, as this it These then are three options of information in 2.6 The world is computer above as requires previous to be true. the universe is not calculable cannot calculate its operations, be calculated then it can't be a calculated They are also a slippery slope, as physical reality is calculable then it could be calculating, and if it calculating then be calculated, i.e. virtual. Currently, the calculating universe is presented as the option, mid-way between the normalcy of an objective universe the of a one: "The universe not a program somewhere else. It universal computer, there nothing 2002) Some explicitly suggest a universal computer in our space-time: "Imagine the computation space and time.
 probabilistically, then in thEory a progrAm couLd sImuLaTe it. this Hypothesis doesN'T say The universe is a computer But thAt IT couLD bE simuLated by ONe, I.E. It dOeS nOt cOnTRaDict oBjeCtive reAlity. Brian whiTwOrth Quantum BIOsYstems 2010, 2 (1) 221-249 229 This "ThiN edge of the weDge" Could bE fAlsIFied bY a nOn-comPutablE Law of pHysics, but So FAr none HAs been fOUNd. the cAlculating universE HyPOthesis states tHat the UnIVeRSE soMehOw uses infoRmAtion PRocessiNG aLGORitHMs in its operatIons, e.g. quantUM meChanicAl ForMUlae. SuPportErS Of tHis view inclUde mAinstream PhysicISts like jOhn WheeLer, whoSe pHraSe "It FRoM BIt" sUgGEstS ThAt oBJecTs ("it") someHoW dErive From INFORmatIon ("Bit"). NOw infOrmation proceSsiNg doESn't Just mOdel tHe unIvErse, iT attemPts to ExPlain it (PiccininI, 2007). WhiLe a computEr sImUlaTiOn comPAres itS ouTpuT to the pHysical WOrlD, nOW THaT processing creates ReALItY is a theoRy abouT HoW tHE world acTuAllY worKS. the woRld iSN't Just like A compuTEr, BuT to some DeGree at LeAst, It iS a comPUter. this opTion woulD be unLIkely if computeR Simulations of PHySICs GAve nO vaLue, but they dO. The CAlcuLateD UnIveRSe hypOthesIs GOeS A step further, stating ThAt all pHysicAl reality arisEs from infoRMATion procEssiNG oUTside itself. ThiS is thE virtual reALity conjEcturE, that the Physical wORLd is nothIng But ProCesSINg Output. SupportERS of tHiS "strong" VirTual reaLitY thEorY arE fEw (Fredkin, 1990), With none In MaInStReaM physICs. Due to iTs ExiStEntIal coST, it wilL not eVen bE cOnSIdeRed unleSS iT EXplaInS wHat nOthInG else Can, aS ThiS paper aRgues it doEs. THEse tHeN aRe the thRee options of iNfOrmation prOcEssIng in pHYSics. 2.6 The wOrld is not a computer The abOVe three StaTemenTs cuMulate, as eAch RequirEs tHE previOus to bE true. if The UNIversE IS nOt cAlCulable it cANNot CalcuLaTe itS operatIons, and if its operatIOns Can't be calculaTed Then IT CaN't bE A cALcuLaTEd rEALity. They are also A slippery sLoPE, aS if physicaL ReaLiTy is calCulable Then iT Could be CalculatiNg, and if it Is CalcULAtiNg then it coUld be calCulated, i.e. VIrtuaL. cuRrentLy, tHe calcUlAtiNg uniVerse hYPotHesis Is presEnTed as tHe besT oPtion, mid-Way between the normalcy of An objeCtive UniVerse and tHe sHOck Of a virtuaL one: "the universE is Not A progRam RUnninG somEWhEre ELse. It Is a uNIversal coMPuTer, AND tHere is nothiNG OUtsIde it." (kelLY, 2002) Some eXpliCitly suggest a univERsal quantum comPuteR EMbeDdeD In ouR sPace-time: "ImaginE thE qUANtum compUtAtion embeddEd in spacE aND time.
 probabilistically, then i n theory a  prog ram  co ul d si mula te it. This hy p othe sis doesn't say the un ivers ei s ac om puter  but th a ti t  co ul dbesi m ul atedbyone, i. e. it does  no tcontradict o b je ctive real ity . Brian Whit wor th Qua nt umB iosys tem s 201 0, 2 ( 1 ) 221- 249 229 T hi s  "thin edge of t he  wed ge" could be fals i fi e d by a non-com putabl el aw o f p hys ics, but s ofar n o ne hasb ee n f oun d . The calcula ting univer s e h ypothe si s s t ates t hat t he uni verse someh ow u ses infor mation process i ng algo rithms  in  it s op e ra ti ons ,e .g. qu ant u m m echanica lfo rmula e. S u p p o rter s o f th is vi ew include ma ins trea m  ph ysici sts l ikeJo hn Wh eeler,  whos ephrase "It from  Bit " suggest s t ha t o bj ects( "it")som eho w deriv e fromi nfo rm a t i on  ("bit"). Now info rm a t io n proces sing d o es n' t  just mo de l t he u n i verse , it at tempts t o expl a in  i t (Picc in ini, 2 00 7).  Wh ile a comp uter s imulatio n com p ares its outpu t  to the physi c al w or l d, n owthat proces sing crea tesr ea lit y  is a  theo ry ab o ut how the world ac tu ally w orks.  The world is n't just l i k e  a compu ter, bu t  to some degre e atleast, iti s a comp uter.  This op tion woul d be unlik ely  if  co mpu t e rsimulations o f phys ic s gavenovalue,but  th eydo.  T he calcul ated uni ve rs ehy pot hesis goes a s te p f ur the r, st a ting t hat a ll p hy si c alreality ar i s es f ro minfo rma ti on pr oces s ing  outsid e itself.  Th i s is  t he  virtua l reality con je cture, tha tthe  physi c a l worldis nothing but processi n g outpu t.Suppo rter s of this  "s trong"  vi r tual r eality  theo ry  ar e few ( F r ed kin ,1990), wit h non e inma inst ream ph ysics. Due to itse xis tential cost,  it  wil l no t e v en beco n sid e r ed unless it ex plains wha tn ot hing elsec an,  a s thispaper a rgues it does . These t hen are t he  thr e e  op tions of i nformati on proces s ing i n  p hysic s.2.6 Th ewor ld is  not a com puter  The a bo ve thr ee st at ements c umulate, as each requir es the  prev iou s to be t rue .  If  the univ erse  is not ca lcu lab le it  ca n not c alcu l at e i t s ope rati o ns, and i f  i tso p er ations can' t b e c alcul ate d  thenit c an't be a calcula t ed reality. Th ey a r e  al soa  sli pp ery slope, asifph y s ical rea li ty is calcu lable th en it co uld be  calcu lating, a nd if itis c alc ulating t hen  i t  couldbe  c a lculat ed,i. e. vir tual.C urre n t ly, the calculat ing u n i verse hyp othes is  is pre s ente d as the b est option,  mid-w ay b etwee n the n or malcyofan  objective universeand t he shoc kof a  vi rtualone: " The u nive rs e i s not a p r o gr a mru n nin g so mewhe re  els e. It isa  univers alc omputer ,and t here i s  n o t hing outsi deit."( K elly, 2002 )  Som e  e x plici tly su ggesta unive r sal  q uantumcom p u ter embed ded in ou r  sp ac e-ti me: "Ima gi ne t he  qu an tum computation  embedde d in spa c e  and t ime . 
 probabilistically,_then in_theory a program could_simulate it._This_hypothesis doesn't_say_the universe is_a computer but_that it could be_simulated by one,_i.e._it does not contradict objective reality. Brian Whitworth Quantum Biosystems 2010, 2 (1) 221-249_229_This "thin_edge_of_the wedge" could be falsified_by a non-computable law of_physics, but_so far none has been found. The calculating_universe_hypothesis states that_the universe somehow uses information processing algorithms in its_operations, e.g. quantum mechanical formulae. Supporters_of this view_include_mainstream_physicists like John Wheeler,_whose phrase "It from Bit" suggests_that objects ("it") somehow derive from_information ("bit"). Now information processing doesn't just_model the universe, it attempts to_explain it (Piccinini, 2007). While_a computer_simulation compares its output to_the physical world,_now that_processing creates reality_is a theory about how the_world actually works._The world isn't just like a_computer,_but to some_degree_at_least, it_is a computer._This_option would_be_unlikely if computer simulations of physics_gave_no value, but they do. The calculated_universe hypothesis goes a_step_further, stating that all_physical reality arises from information_processing outside itself. This is the_virtual reality_conjecture, that_the physical world is nothing but processing output. Supporters of this_"strong" virtual reality theory are few_(Fredkin, 1990), with none_in mainstream_physics._Due to its_existential_cost, it_will not even be considered unless it_explains what_nothing else can, as this paper_argues it does. These_then_are the three options of information_processing in physics. 2.6 The world_is not a computer The_above_three_statements cumulate, as each requires_the previous to be true. If_the universe is_not calculable it cannot calculate its operations,_and_if its operations can't be calculated_then_it can't be a calculated reality._They_are_also a slippery slope, as_if physical reality is calculable then_it could be calculating, and if it is calculating_then it could_be calculated, i.e. virtual. Currently,_the_calculating_universe hypothesis is presented as the best option, mid-way between_the normalcy_of an objective_universe and the shock of a virtual one: "The universe_is not a program running somewhere else._It is a universal computer, and there is nothing outside it."_(Kelly, 2002) Some explicitly suggest a universal quantum_computer embedded in our space-time: "Imagine the_quantum computation embedded in_space_and time.