 the cosmic world that surrounds us. These two poles encompass everything we see and know of the physical world. It is unacceptable that their prime theories, however mathematically precise, remain opaque to human understanding. Traditional objective reality concepts have had over a century to give meaning to relativity and quantum physics. That they have not yet done so suggests they never will. Hence let us now think the unthinkable alternative: that the physical world is not an objective reality but a virtual reality. 2. The virtual reality conjecture While never commonly held, the idea that physical reality isn't the ultimate reality has a long pedigree. In Buddhism, the discriminated world is just an effect created by a universal "essence of mind" that underlies all. In Hinduism the world of Maya or illusion is created by God's "play" or Lila. In western philosophy, Plato's cave analogy portrays the world we see as mere shadows on a cave wall that only reflect an external light2. The idea that the world is calculated has an equally long history. Over two thousand years ago Pythagoras considered numbers the nonmaterial essence behind the physical world. Plato felt that "God geometrizes" and Gauss believed that "God computes" (Svozil, 2005). Both derived nature's mathematics from the divine mind, as Blake shows Urizen, "The Ancient of Days", wielding a compass to calculate the world (Figure 1). Zuse expressed the idea in modern scientific terms by suggesting that space calculates (Zuse, 1969), and since then others have explored the concept (Fredkin, 2 In the analogy, people are tied up in a dark cave with their backs to its exit. Looking at the cave wall, they see only their shadows, created by sunlight from the outside, and take those shadows to be all of reality. Brian Whitworth Quantum Biosystems 2010, 2 (1) 221-249 225 1990; Lloyd, 2006; Rhodes, 2001; Schmidhuber, 1997; Svozil, 2005; Tegmark, 2007; Wolfram, 2002). Some common responses to the idea are detailed in Appendix A. 2.1 Axioms of existence A virtual reality is a world created entirely by information processing, where information arises when a value is chosen from an available value set (Shannon & Weaver, 1949) and processing is the transformation of information values. As virtual worlds exist by processing, by definition nothing in them exists independently in or of itself. If the processing stops so does the virtual reality
the cosmic world that surrounds us. These two poles encompass everything we visualize and acknowledge of the physical world. It is unacceptable that their choice theories, however mathematically precise, stay opaque to human understanding. Traditional objective reality concept have have over a hundred to give meaning to relativity and quantum physics. That they have not even suffice so suggests they never will. Hence let us now remember the unthinkable alternative: that the physical world is not an objective world but a virtual reality. 2. The virtual reality speculation While never commonly hold, the idea that physical reality isn't the ultimate reality has a retentive pedigree. In Buddhism, the discriminated world is just an effect created by a universal " essence of mind " that underlies all. In Hinduism the world of Maya or illusion is created by God's " play " or Lila. In western philosophy, Plato's cave analogy portray the world we see as bare apparition on a cave wall that only reflect an external light2. The theme that the world is calculated has an equally retentive history. Over two thousand years ago Pythagoras considered numbers the nonmaterial essence behind the physical earth. Plato felt that " God geometrizes " and Gauss believed that " God computes " (Svozil, 2005). Both derived nature's mathematics from the providential mind, as Blake show Urizen, " The Ancient of day ", wielding a compass to calculate the populace (Figure 1). Zuse expressed the idea in mod scientific terms by suggesting that space calculates (Zuse, 1969), and since then others have explored the concept (Fredkin, 2 In the doctrine of analogy, people are tied up in a dark cave with their backs to its exit. look at the cave wall, they attend only their shadow, created by sunlight from the outside, and film those shadows to be all of reality. Brian Whitworth Quantum Biosystems 2010, 2 (1) 221 - 249 225 1990; Lloyd, 2006; Rhodes, 2001; Schmidhuber, 1997; Svozil, 2005; Tegmark, 2007; Wolfram, 2002). Some common responses to the mind are detailed in Appendix A. 2.1 axiom of existence A virtual reality is a world created entirely by data processing, where information arises when a value is choose from an available value set (Shannon & Weaver, 1949) and processing is the transformation of information values. As virtual worlds exist by processing, by definition nothing in them exists independently in or of itself. If the processing stops so do the virtual reality
 thf cosmic world that surruunds us. These jwi polev encojpass evdrything we see and know of vhe physixal world. It is unacceotable thwt their prinw theories, however mathejwticcloy precise, remsin opaque to human undessgauding. Traditional objective reality sonceptx jave had over w cemeury no give meaning to relativity ahd quanuum physics. That tney have not yet done so skggedts they never wilp. Hence let us giw think the unthinkable alternatibe: that the physical world is nut an objective rwalljy but a virvual rvality. 2. The vlgtual raality vonjecture Whike ievee commonly held, the ivea that physical rewlity isn'd che ultimate reality yaw a lmng [edieeee. In Bnddgism, tje viscriminatsd world is just an effect crestqe by a univeraal "esfegce of mind" that underlies all. In Hindupsm fhe world of Maya or ilousion is created by Hod's "play" or Lila. In western philosophy, Plato's cave analogf porvrxys tme wuelf we see as mere shadows on a cave wall that jhlu geflect an externcl light2. The ides hhsj the world is calculatsd has an equally pong hiftory. Over two thoisand years ago Pythagoras xonsidered nlmbees the nonmaterial essence bekind tne phusical world. Plato felt thaf "God geomehrizes" ans Gauss believed ghan "Gog computtr" (Svozil, 2005). Both dewived natnre's kathemagics from ehe divine mind, as Blake shows Urixen, "Tke Anwient of Dwys", wielding a compass to calculate the world (Fhguge 1). Zuse zxpresxed the idea yn modern scieutific tzrms bh suggestihg that space calctlates (Zuse, 1969), djd since thei others rave expoored tfd concept (Fredlin, 2 In tkt analogy, people are tied up in z dark cave witk uhwir backs to iys dxie. Popkytg at the caee wxll, yhey ree only thcir shacows, created by sunlhght from the outside, snq take tyose shaqows to be alk of reality. Brian Whitxorth Duantim Fiosystems 2010, 2 (1) 221-249 225 1990; Lloyd, 2006; Rhodes, 2001; Schmidhkbev, 1997; Svozil, 2005; Tedmarj, 2007; Wolfram, 2002). Xome common responses to the idea are dxtailed in Appendix A. 2.1 Qxioms of existence S virtual rxality is a wornd created entirely vy information prpcessing, where informztion drised when a value is chosen from an available value set (Shannon & Weaver, 1949) and processing is the tramsforkaciou of insormetmon values. As virnual worlds exist by processing, uy definithou nothing in them exists indelevdently in or of itself. If the procesaing stols so does the virtual reality
the cosmic world that surrounds us. These encompass we see know of the that prime theories, however precise, remain opaque human understanding. Traditional objective reality concepts had over a century to give meaning to relativity and quantum physics. That have not yet done so suggests they never will. Hence let us now the alternative: the world is not an objective reality but a virtual reality. 2. The virtual reality conjecture While commonly held, the idea that physical reality isn't ultimate reality has a pedigree. In Buddhism, the discriminated is an effect by universal of mind" that all. In Hinduism the world of Maya or illusion is created by God's "play" or Lila. In philosophy, Plato's portrays the we as shadows on a that only reflect an external light2. the world is calculated has an equally long Over two years ago Pythagoras considered numbers the essence behind the physical world. Plato felt that geometrizes" and Gauss believed that "God computes" (Svozil, 2005). Both derived nature's mathematics from the as Blake shows Urizen, Ancient of Days", a to the (Figure 1). expressed the idea in modern scientific terms by suggesting that space (Zuse, 1969), and since then others have explored the concept In analogy, people are up in a dark with backs to its exit. the wall, their created sunlight from the outside, take those shadows to be of reality. Brian Whitworth 221-249 225 1990; Lloyd, 2006; Rhodes, 2001; Schmidhuber, Svozil, 2005; Tegmark, 2007; Wolfram, 2002). Some responses to the idea are detailed in Appendix A. 2.1 Axioms of A virtual a world created entirely by information processing, where arises when a value chosen from an available value set (Shannon & Weaver, and is the of information values. virtual worlds exist processing, by definition them exists in of processing stops so does the virtual
 the cosmic world that surrounDs us. These tWo polEs eNcoMpAss eVeryThing we see and kNOw of The physical world. It is unAccepTaBLe thAT tHeir pRime theORiES, HowEvEr MatHeMAtIcallY prEcise, reMain opaque To hUmAn understandINg. traditionaL obJective realiTy cOnceptS hAve HAd oveR a cEnturY to givE MeaninG to relatiViTY and quANtum phySICs. that They have not yet donE So SUggests they nevEr will. heNCe LET us Now Think the unThInkabLE alternATiVE: THat THe physical worLd is not an obJEctIve reaLiTy bUT a virtUal reAlITy. 2. THe virtual reAlitY conjectuRe WhilE Never coMMonly heLd, the iDea ThaT phySIcAl ReaLiTY isN'T tHe uLTimAte realiTy HaS a lonG pedIGREE. In BUddHism, The diScriminated woRld Is juST an EffecT creaTed bY a UniveRsal "esSence Of Mind" that underliEs alL. In HinduiSm tHe WorLd Of MayA Or illuSioN is Created By God's "pLAy" oR LILA. in Western philosophy, PLaTO'S cAve analoGy portRAyS tHE world we SeE as Mere SHAdows On a cAVe Wall that Only reFLeCt An exterNaL light2. thE idEa tHat thE WorlD is calCulated hAs an eQUally long histoRY. Over two thousANd YEArS Ago PYthAgoras consiDereD NumbErs tHE nOnmATeriaL esseNcE BeHInd the physical world. plAto felT that "god geometrizeS" and Gauss bELIEved that "god cOMpUTes" (Svozil, 2005). Both dEriveD nature's maTHematics From tHe divine Mind, as BlaKE Shows UriZen, "the ancIenT OF DAys", wielding a cOMPass To CalculaTe tHe world (figUre 1). zusE exPrEssed the iDea in modErN sCiEnTifIc terMS by suggeStIng ThAt sPace cALculatEs (ZusE, 1969), and SiNcE TheN others HAvE EXploReD tHe coNcePt (fredkIn, 2 In THe aNalogy, pEople are tIed UP in a DaRk Cave witH their backs to ItS exit. LookiNg At tHe cave WALl, they seE only their shadows, createD By sunliGht From tHe ouTside, and tAke Those sHadOWs to be All of rEalitY. BRiaN wHitwoRTH QUanTuM BiosystemS 2010, 2 (1) 221-249 225 1990; lLoyD, 2006; RhodEs, 2001; schmIdhuber, 1997; svozil, 2005; Tegmark, 2007; WolfrAM, 2002). SoMe common respoNseS to tHE IdEa aRE dETaiLeD In APPEndix A. 2.1 Axioms of eXistence A vIrTUaL reality is A WorLd Created EntirelY by inFOrmatioN processiNg, where inFoRmatION arIses when a vAlue is chOsen from aN AvailABlE valuE seT (ShannOn & weaVer, 1949) anD proceSSinG is thE transFoRmatioN of inFoRmation vAlues. As virtual worlds exiSt by prOcessIng, By definitIon NOthIng in them ExisTs independEntLy iN or of ItsELf. If tHe prOCeSsiNG stopS so dOEs the virtUAl ReaLITy
 the cosmic world that sur rounds us.  Thes e t wopo lesenco mpass everythi n g we  see and know of the p hysic al worl d .It is  unacce p ta b l e t ha tthe ir pr ime t heo ries, h owever mat hem at ically preci s e,  remain op aqu e to human u nde rstand in g.T radit ion al ob jectiv e  reali ty concep ts have h a d overa ce ntur y to give meaning to relativity and  quant um ph y s ics . T hat they h av e not yet don e  s o s ugg e sts they neve r will. Hen c e l et usno w t h ink th e unt hi n kab le alternat ive:  that the  physi c al worl d  is not  an ob jec tiv e re a li ty  bu ta  vi r tu alr eal ity. 2.Th evirtu al r e a l i ty c onj ectu re Wh ile never com mon ly h e ld,  theideathat  p hysic al rea lityis n't the ultimat e re ality has  alo ngpe digre e . In B udd his m, thediscrim i nat ed w o rl d is just an effec tc r ea ted by a  unive r sa l" essenceof  mi nd"t h at un derl i es  all. In  Hindu i sm  t he worl dof May aorill usion is c reated  by God' s "pl a y" or Lila. In western philo s op h y ,P lato 'scave analog y po r tray s th e  w orl d  we s ee as  m e re shadows on a cave w al l that  only  reflect an e xternal li g h t 2. The i deat ha t  the world iscalcu lated hasa n equall y lon g histor y. Over t w o  thousan d y ear s a goP y th agoras consid e r ed n um bers th e n onmater ial  es sen cebe hind thephysical  w or ld .Pla to fe l t that " Go d g eo met rizes "  and G aussbeli ev ed tha t "Godc om p u tes"  ( Sv ozil , 2 00 5). B othd eri ved nat ure's mat hem a tics  f ro m the d ivine mind, a sBlake show sUri zen, " T h e Ancien t of Days", wielding ac ompasstocalcu late  the worl d ( Figure  1) .  Zuseexpres sed t he  id e a  in m o d er n s ci entific te r m s b y sug ge stin g thatspace calculates ( Z use , 1969), andsin ce t h e noth e rs hav ee xpl o r ed the concept(Fredkin,2I nthe analog y , p eo ple are  tied u p ina  dark c ave withtheir bac ks  toi t s e xit. Looki ng at th e cave wa l l, th e ysee o nly  their  s had ows,create d  by  sunl ight f ro m theoutsi de , and ta ke those shadows to beall of  real ity . Brian W hit w ort h Quantum  Bio systems 20 10,  2(1) 2 21- 2 49 22 5 19 9 0;  Ll o yd, 2 006; Rhodes, 2 0 01 ; S c h mi dhuber, 199 7 ; Svo zil,200 5 ; Tegm ark,  2007; Wolfram, 2 0 02). Some comm on r e s pon ses to t he  idea are deta ile di n  Appendi xA. 2.1 Axio ms of ex is t enceA virt ual re ality i s aw orld c reat edentirelybyin f ormatio npr o cessin g, w he re inf ormati o n ar i s es when a valueis ch o s en fr o m a n ava il able va l ue s et (Shanno n & Weaver,  1949)  and  proc essingis  the t ran sf ormation o f  informat ion v alues.As  vir tua l worl ds e x i st by  pro ce ssi ng, by de f i ni t io nn oth ingin th em  exi sts indep e ndentlyino r of it se lf. I f thep ro c e ssing stop s s o doe s the virtua l  rea l it y 
 the_cosmic world_that surrounds us. These_two poles_encompass_everything we_see_and know of_the physical world._It is unacceptable that_their prime theories,_however_mathematically precise, remain opaque to human understanding. Traditional objective reality concepts have had over_a_century to_give_meaning_to relativity and quantum physics._That they have not yet_done so_suggests they never will. Hence let us now_think_the unthinkable alternative:_that the physical world is not an objective reality_but a virtual reality. 2. The_virtual reality conjecture_While_never_commonly held, the idea_that physical reality isn't the ultimate_reality has a long pedigree. In_Buddhism, the discriminated world is just an_effect created by a universal "essence_of mind" that underlies all._In Hinduism_the world of Maya or_illusion is created_by God's_"play" or Lila._In western philosophy, Plato's cave analogy_portrays the world_we see as mere shadows on_a_cave wall that_only_reflect_an external_light2. The idea_that_the world_is_calculated has an equally long history._Over_two thousand years ago Pythagoras considered numbers_the nonmaterial essence behind_the_physical world. Plato felt_that "God geometrizes" and Gauss_believed that "God computes" (Svozil, 2005)._Both derived_nature's mathematics_from the divine mind, as Blake shows Urizen, "The Ancient of_Days", wielding a compass to calculate_the world (Figure 1)._Zuse expressed_the_idea in modern_scientific_terms by_suggesting that space calculates (Zuse, 1969), and_since then_others have explored the concept (Fredkin,_2 In the analogy,_people_are tied up in a dark_cave with their backs to its_exit. Looking at the cave_wall,_they_see only their shadows, created_by sunlight from the outside, and_take those shadows_to be all of reality. Brian Whitworth_Quantum_Biosystems 2010, 2 (1) 221-249 225_1990;_Lloyd, 2006; Rhodes, 2001; Schmidhuber, 1997;_Svozil,_2005;_Tegmark, 2007; Wolfram, 2002). Some_common responses to the idea are_detailed in Appendix A. 2.1 Axioms of existence A_virtual reality is_a world created entirely by_information_processing,_where information arises when a value is chosen from an_available value_set (Shannon &_Weaver, 1949) and processing is the transformation of information values._As virtual worlds exist by processing, by_definition nothing in them exists independently in or of itself. If_the processing stops so does the virtual reality