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Our universe
certainly seems real.
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00:00:05,437 --> 00:00:08,239
But what if it's not?
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We may be nothing more
than video game characters
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00:00:11,343 --> 00:00:15,114
designed
for someone else's amusement.
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00:00:15,115 --> 00:00:19,817
But how could a computer juggle
every aspect of the cosmos?
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00:00:19,818 --> 00:00:22,488
Maybe what looks random
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has already been
programmed to happen.
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Can we discover
some hidden glitch
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in the laws of the universe
and uncover its hidden code?
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Do we live in the matrix?
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Space, time, life itself.
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00:00:48,381 --> 00:00:52,584
The secrets of the cosmos
lie through the wormhole.
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Captions by vitac
www.Vitac.Com
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captions paid for by
discovery communications
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Pick up a rose.
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Take in its scent.
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Feast your eyes
on the crimson of its petals.
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Feel the prick of its Thorn
on your finger.
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These sensations are
what ground us in reality.
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But what if they're just
fabricated?
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What if we are merely players
in someone else's video game,
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the big bang just the moment
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someone flipped the switch
and turned on our universe?
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In the movie "the matrix,"
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there was one way to see
the truth behind a fake reality.
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Take the red pill.
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Are you ready for it?
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Jesse Schell knows a lot
about video games.
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He teaches students
at Carnegie Mellon university
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how to design them.
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He appreciates the enormous
effort it would take to create
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all the details
of our world inside a computer.
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The most
sophisticated video games
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are still played
on two dimensional screens,
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like the one
you're watching now.
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00:02:21,741 --> 00:02:24,844
Schell: Creating the illusion of
three dimensions on flat screens
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is much simpler
than actually creating
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real three dimensional space
that we can move around in.
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So programming 3D space
as we know it
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would be many,
many orders of magnitude
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more difficult than anything
we know how to do right now.
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Freeman: Jesse and other video game
designers are pretty good
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at simulating the way
objects move through space.
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They use Newton's laws
of gravity and motion,
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just as the designers
of our world would.
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The balls have weight.
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Air is moving around them.
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Electrical charges
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are increasing and decreasing
on the surface of each ball.
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And even if I'm
a little bit off,
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the laws of physics
are still intact.
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But if the rules
themselves are off,
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then we'll know right away
that something's wrong,
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that it's not an accurate
simulation of our world.
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Freeman:
Making a believable reality
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would take far more
than perfect programming
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of the way
objects look and move.
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You'd have to program
all the other senses, too...
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Sound, smell, taste, and touch,
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and all the subtle variations.
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00:03:34,747 --> 00:03:38,684
And if even one small thing
was off, like, say this coffee
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having the same taste
and temperature as this cereal,
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you'd know right away that
something was terribly wrong.
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Freeman:
How would you computerize taste
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or program the feel
of soft grass underfoot?
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Even the air we breathe
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is filled with gasses,
water molecules,
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00:04:00,173 --> 00:04:03,675
dust particles and pollen.
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00:04:03,676 --> 00:04:07,045
At carnegie mellon's
entertainment technology center,
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Jesse is trying to make
simulations
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as immersive as possible.
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In what he calls the cave,
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a moving platform
adds to the visual experience.
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But sometimes the simulation
is too much for the computer,
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and we get glitches,
just like in a video game.
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It's possible that if we
were making a simulation
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of the real world that
the same thing could happen.
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Freeman: When a computer can't
keep up with the visuals
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it needs to render,
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you often see a defect
called screen tearing.
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We've never seen
that in our world,
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but not all glitches would be
visible to people on the inside.
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Schell:
If the simulation freezes,
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then the people
who are in it might not know
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because it could freeze
for a thousand years.
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And anyone
who was part of the simulation
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would also be frozen in a state
of suspended animation so that,
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when it started up again,
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it would be absolutely seamless
to them,
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and they would never know.
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00:05:07,973 --> 00:05:09,708
Freeman:
If someone else has created us
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inside their computers,
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then they must also
have built programs
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for all of our mental abilities,
our imaginations,
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our emotions and the thoughts
running through our heads
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00:05:21,521 --> 00:05:25,523
every time
we engage in conversation.
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As humans,
we get so much information
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from talking that an accurate
conversation program is crucial.
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What did you want to be
when you grew up?
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A fireman.
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A fireman? That's noble.
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So either, "a,"
you've got a death wish,
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or, "b," you like
to stare at fire.
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And it only takes us a split
second to notice a problem
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with the conversation.
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So you can imagine the challenge
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of simulating 7 billion people
all talking together at once.
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Freeman:
Jesse thinks our creators could be using a few shortcuts
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to handle this heavy load,
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concepts already used
by today's game programmers.
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You could make just a few people
be active players
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and then surround them
with billions
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of much simpler characters.
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Or another thing you could do
is only put detailed simulation
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where I'm looking
at a given time.
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If I'm looking just
to one place,
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just put all the focus
over there
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and make everything else
around me just kind of a blur.
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Freeman: Maybe you are the only
active player in this game
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you call your life.
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Everyone else exists only
when you are paying attention.
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Your program would be the
only one running all the time,
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even when you sleep.
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Schell: Dreams are already
a kind of simulated reality.
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So to program dreams, you'd have
to create a virtual reality
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within a virtual reality.
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Freeman:
If our world is an incredibly complex computational creation,
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what does that say
about its creators?
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What must their reality be like
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00:07:00,786 --> 00:07:06,991
if spawning an entire universe
is just a game?
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00:07:06,992 --> 00:07:10,328
As difficult as it is for us
to imagine creating a universe
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as complex as our own,
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00:07:11,930 --> 00:07:14,131
it might not actually
be that hard for someone
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00:07:14,132 --> 00:07:16,734
living in a universe
more advanced than ours.
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00:07:16,735 --> 00:07:18,938
I think I'll need
to sleep on that idea.
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If we are living in a simulation
right now,
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who created it?
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God?
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More advanced alien lifeforms
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that dreamt us up
to be their avatars?
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00:07:35,922 --> 00:07:41,094
Or could our creators
be future versions of ourselves?
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Nick Bostrom,
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00:07:47,632 --> 00:07:52,003
a professor of philosophy
at the University of Oxford,
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believes we are almost certainly
living inside the computers
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of our descendants.
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The buildings here in Oxford
are really old.
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00:08:02,482 --> 00:08:05,518
I mean, this wall
might be 400 or 500 years old.
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And think of all the technology
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00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:09,989
we have developed
in these short centuries.
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00:08:09,990 --> 00:08:12,624
So if we zoom forward
a few centuries,
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then presumably
we will then have technology
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that would be equally magical
to us,
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as television
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would be to our ancestors
who built these walls.
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Freeman: Nick believes
over the next few centuries,
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we'll be combining technology
with our own biology.
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We will evolve into posthumans,
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hybrids of man and machine with
phenomenal computational powers.
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Just 20 years ago,
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a realistic simulation
of a city was impossible.
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Now we can make those fake
scenes pretty convincing.
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The combined processing power
of posthumans
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would have no trouble
rendering an entire world
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and all the people in it.
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We can estimate the amount
of computing power
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it would take
to simulate one human brain.
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00:09:04,610 --> 00:09:09,013
And it's possible to calculate
how much computing power
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00:09:09,014 --> 00:09:11,950
a technologically mature
civilization
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would have at its disposal.
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A mature civilization would have
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vastly more computational power
available than it would take
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to run a full simulation
with all 7 billion people in it.
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Freeman: Creating a virtual
version of our world
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would be as easy for posthumans
as snapping a finger.
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But why does Nick think
our descendants
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have already done it?
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This priceless, real human skull
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was used
in the very first performance
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of Shakespeare's "Hamlet."
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Here hung those lips
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I have kissed
i know not how oft.
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Actually, it's only
a cheap reproduction,
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one of many thousands
used in the countless times
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the play has been performed.
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What if each of us
is like that skull?
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There's one original,
biological version
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and thousands
of fabricated copies.
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What are the chances that i
am the original version of me
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or that you are
the original version of you?
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00:10:32,032 --> 00:10:34,867
University of Oxford
philosopher Nick Bostrom
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is trying to get himself
into the mindset
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00:10:37,836 --> 00:10:41,740
of our superintelligent
posthuman descendants.
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He thinks
their vast computing power
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will allow them
to create virtual realities
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and watch them as easily
as we watch TV.
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00:10:54,988 --> 00:10:57,824
Imagine that I'm one
of these posthumans.
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00:10:57,825 --> 00:11:00,459
I may decide
to run elaborate simulations
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00:11:00,460 --> 00:11:04,229
for scientific purposes
or maybe for entertainment.
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00:11:04,230 --> 00:11:07,432
Think of these as the most
incredible stage adaptations
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00:11:07,433 --> 00:11:09,202
ever created.
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Discordance.
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00:11:14,541 --> 00:11:17,408
A family cleft
in twain, my wife,
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thy skull without a brain. Boy!
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00:11:20,547 --> 00:11:22,114
Ay, father. Thou callst me?
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00:11:22,115 --> 00:11:24,316
What sayest thou
upon the matter?
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00:11:24,317 --> 00:11:28,620
Freeman:
William Shakespeare simulated the story of a Danish prince
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named Hamlet some 400 years ago.
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00:11:32,424 --> 00:11:34,393
400 years in the future,
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00:11:34,394 --> 00:11:37,430
when our descendants
have the dramatic urge,
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00:11:37,431 --> 00:11:40,499
they may make simulations of us.
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00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:44,103
With all of these capabilities
that posthumans would possess,
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I could continually
refine the simulations
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00:11:46,706 --> 00:11:49,975
until they matched the reality
of my ancestors.
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00:11:49,976 --> 00:11:51,377
All right. Stop.
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00:11:51,378 --> 00:11:52,545
Freeman: So, how likely is it
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00:11:52,546 --> 00:11:55,080
that we are merely patterns
of data
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00:11:55,081 --> 00:11:57,649
on a posthuman hard drive?
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00:11:57,650 --> 00:12:01,320
Nick and a colleague
have made the calculations,
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00:12:01,321 --> 00:12:04,322
and the results are unsettling.
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00:12:04,323 --> 00:12:08,826
If my posthuman civilization
has the ability to create
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00:12:08,827 --> 00:12:12,330
one incredibly accurate
simulation of my ancestors,
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00:12:12,331 --> 00:12:14,899
then we'll soon have
the technology
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00:12:14,900 --> 00:12:18,070
to create thousands,
even millions,
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00:12:18,071 --> 00:12:19,973
of variations of the simulation
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00:12:19,974 --> 00:12:24,042
to examine all possible
variations of our past.
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00:12:24,043 --> 00:12:26,311
Freeman:
Are we biological beings
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00:12:26,312 --> 00:12:30,114
living here and now
in the 21st century,
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00:12:30,115 --> 00:12:33,619
or is this actually
the 25th century,
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00:12:33,620 --> 00:12:39,090
and are we one of many simulated
copies of posthuman ancestors?
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00:12:39,091 --> 00:12:42,661
Nick says the odds against our
being biological humans
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00:12:42,662 --> 00:12:45,663
are overwhelming.
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00:12:45,664 --> 00:12:48,234
Bostrom: It's like the odds
that I'm watching this play
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00:12:48,235 --> 00:12:50,835
the first time
it's ever been performed.
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00:12:50,836 --> 00:12:52,437
It's much more likely
that I'm watching one
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00:12:52,438 --> 00:12:54,005
of the many thousands of times
236
00:12:54,006 --> 00:12:56,307
it's been performed
over hundreds of years.
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00:12:56,308 --> 00:12:57,576
Cut!
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00:12:57,577 --> 00:12:59,010
Nicely done.
239
00:12:59,011 --> 00:13:00,713
Freeman: If Nick is right,
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00:13:00,714 --> 00:13:02,681
we'll need to get used
to the idea
241
00:13:02,682 --> 00:13:06,353
that our lives are
just computer fabricated dramas.
242
00:13:07,854 --> 00:13:11,392
Let's hope our creators
are enjoying the show.
243
00:13:13,594 --> 00:13:16,763
Could something as complicated
as a human being
244
00:13:16,764 --> 00:13:19,665
ever be computer simulated?
245
00:13:19,666 --> 00:13:22,268
The characters
we play with in video games
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00:13:22,269 --> 00:13:24,737
have come a long way
over the years
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00:13:24,738 --> 00:13:27,473
from bodies made of crude,
pixilated blocks
248
00:13:27,474 --> 00:13:32,112
to increasingly
lifelike versions of ourselves.
249
00:13:38,717 --> 00:13:41,420
But even the most
realistic avatars
250
00:13:41,421 --> 00:13:44,690
only look real on the outside.
251
00:13:44,691 --> 00:13:50,128
Could we ever build a body
from the inside out,
252
00:13:50,129 --> 00:13:53,431
cell by cell?
253
00:13:53,432 --> 00:13:56,468
And could that simulated person
254
00:13:56,469 --> 00:14:00,274
be an exact copy
of a flesh and blood human?
255
00:14:04,311 --> 00:14:05,777
Steven Larson
256
00:14:05,778 --> 00:14:10,282
wants to build the world's
first fully digital animal,
257
00:14:10,283 --> 00:14:14,253
a perfect replica
of its biological counterpart.
258
00:14:14,254 --> 00:14:18,156
He's starting small.
259
00:14:18,157 --> 00:14:19,325
All around the world,
260
00:14:19,326 --> 00:14:22,393
you can find
a one millimeter long worm
261
00:14:22,394 --> 00:14:24,864
much smaller
than a typical earthworm.
262
00:14:24,865 --> 00:14:29,368
This barely visible worm
is known as c. Elegans.
263
00:14:29,369 --> 00:14:30,969
Now, it may seem insignificant,
264
00:14:30,970 --> 00:14:33,037
but this little guy
has the distinction
265
00:14:33,038 --> 00:14:35,907
of being one of the most
thoroughly studied animals
266
00:14:35,908 --> 00:14:40,112
in all of biology
and neuroscience.
267
00:14:40,113 --> 00:14:41,580
Freeman:
Steven and his colleagues
268
00:14:41,581 --> 00:14:45,185
are compiling decades
of research about this tiny worm
269
00:14:45,186 --> 00:14:46,619
in order to create
270
00:14:46,620 --> 00:14:50,255
the world's most realistic
computer generated creature.
271
00:14:50,256 --> 00:14:53,792
It only has about 1,000 cells,
959 to be exact,
272
00:14:53,793 --> 00:14:58,930
and only 302 neurons,
about 95 body wall muscle cells.
273
00:14:58,931 --> 00:15:02,703
Freeman: That sounds easy enough
to build, but it's not.
274
00:15:02,704 --> 00:15:06,805
Each cell needs to run
its own specific computer code.
275
00:15:06,806 --> 00:15:09,941
And all the pieces of code
must function together,
276
00:15:09,942 --> 00:15:12,478
just as the connected cells do.
277
00:15:12,479 --> 00:15:15,781
When finished,
it won't just look real.
278
00:15:15,782 --> 00:15:18,551
It will act real.
279
00:15:18,552 --> 00:15:22,388
It will seek virtual food,
produce virtual waste,
280
00:15:22,389 --> 00:15:25,426
and create virtual offspring.
281
00:15:28,428 --> 00:15:32,364
And making it
will not be child's play.
282
00:15:32,365 --> 00:15:34,200
This little,
remote controlled car
283
00:15:34,201 --> 00:15:38,570
only has about one tenth
as many parts as c. Elegans.
284
00:15:38,571 --> 00:15:40,138
Now, here,
285
00:15:40,139 --> 00:15:43,041
we have a full size car
made of thousands of parts
286
00:15:43,042 --> 00:15:45,045
including computers and wiring.
287
00:15:45,046 --> 00:15:47,178
It does all sorts
of complex things,
288
00:15:47,179 --> 00:15:49,181
like navigation,
air conditioning.
289
00:15:49,182 --> 00:15:51,316
It has lights.
290
00:15:51,317 --> 00:15:52,951
Freeman: A worm's components
291
00:15:52,952 --> 00:15:57,855
are interconnected,
just like those of a car.
292
00:15:57,856 --> 00:16:00,426
Larson: In a worm, in addition
to building muscle cells
293
00:16:00,427 --> 00:16:01,960
and nerve cells,
294
00:16:01,961 --> 00:16:04,497
we're also creating models of
how muscle cells work together
295
00:16:04,498 --> 00:16:06,366
and how the nervous system
should work.
296
00:16:06,367 --> 00:16:09,903
Then, we can connect the muscle
cells to the nervous system.
297
00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:17,744
Now, when we do that,
this may be the result.
298
00:16:22,182 --> 00:16:23,581
Nothing.
299
00:16:23,582 --> 00:16:25,349
Because of all the complex
interactions.
300
00:16:25,350 --> 00:16:27,853
[ Engine turns over ]
301
00:16:27,854 --> 00:16:29,354
Freeman:
But if Steven and his colleagues
302
00:16:29,355 --> 00:16:32,657
precisely simulate every cell
of c. Elegans
303
00:16:32,658 --> 00:16:36,628
and get all those individual
programs working together,
304
00:16:36,629 --> 00:16:40,899
his computerized worm
will do something no car can.
305
00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:45,204
It will live and act completely
under its own control.
306
00:16:47,073 --> 00:16:48,373
It's a much bigger challenge
307
00:16:48,374 --> 00:16:50,542
than just programming
flashy video game characters
308
00:16:50,543 --> 00:16:53,811
that look like real life
approximations of creatures.
309
00:16:53,812 --> 00:16:56,648
If we wanted to, we could
already program a c. Elegans
310
00:16:56,649 --> 00:17:00,551
and make it look like it can do
all sorts of amazing things.
311
00:17:00,552 --> 00:17:03,287
Freeman: So far,
Steven and his colleagues
312
00:17:03,288 --> 00:17:06,057
have written programs
for some of the worm's muscle
313
00:17:06,058 --> 00:17:07,960
and nerve cells.
314
00:17:07,961 --> 00:17:10,429
But they're still
working on code to simulate
315
00:17:10,430 --> 00:17:13,431
the complex electrical
and chemical interactions
316
00:17:13,432 --> 00:17:15,768
between them.
317
00:17:15,769 --> 00:17:18,136
Larson: So we still have a lot
of work to get everything built,
318
00:17:18,137 --> 00:17:21,206
wired and connected together
so that our virtual worm
319
00:17:21,207 --> 00:17:24,209
will behave just as a real,
biological worm.
320
00:17:24,210 --> 00:17:28,447
Freeman:
Then the stage will be set to work on more complex creatures.
321
00:17:28,448 --> 00:17:31,549
A human is made up
of trillions of cells,
322
00:17:31,550 --> 00:17:34,419
so creating
one biologically accurate,
323
00:17:34,420 --> 00:17:36,387
computer generated person
324
00:17:36,388 --> 00:17:39,825
would be like wiring together
all the parts
325
00:17:39,826 --> 00:17:43,027
in more than 100 million cars.
326
00:17:43,028 --> 00:17:45,197
Larson: It may take many decades
or even centuries,
327
00:17:45,198 --> 00:17:46,533
but I believe that, one day,
328
00:17:46,534 --> 00:17:48,534
we should be able
to build virtual versions
329
00:17:48,535 --> 00:17:51,870
of ourselves
that are like us in every way.
330
00:17:51,871 --> 00:17:53,572
So we'll have to get used
to the idea
331
00:17:53,573 --> 00:17:57,643
that virtual or artificial
entities may someday think
332
00:17:57,644 --> 00:18:00,511
and act for themselves.
333
00:18:00,512 --> 00:18:03,214
Hey, wait!
334
00:18:03,215 --> 00:18:06,483
Freeman: If we're already living
in a virtual reality,
335
00:18:06,484 --> 00:18:10,622
then we must be those lifelike
artificial creatures.
336
00:18:10,623 --> 00:18:12,691
But how can we prove it?
337
00:18:12,692 --> 00:18:15,093
This physicist believes
he's found a glitch
338
00:18:15,094 --> 00:18:17,197
in the workings of our universe
339
00:18:17,198 --> 00:18:20,900
that could show us
the matrix is a reality.
340
00:18:24,997 --> 00:18:29,836
Artificial environments
are built on a 3D grid.
341
00:18:29,837 --> 00:18:33,239
If someone built our universe
in a computer,
342
00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:38,578
we should be able to find this
grid underpinning everything.
343
00:18:38,579 --> 00:18:41,880
We've never seen any sign of it,
344
00:18:41,881 --> 00:18:45,283
but one scientist
thinks he knows how to look
345
00:18:45,284 --> 00:18:49,789
under the surface of the cosmos
346
00:18:49,790 --> 00:18:53,626
to determine if there is
an artificial wire frame
347
00:18:53,627 --> 00:18:56,163
holding reality together.
348
00:18:59,567 --> 00:19:01,099
Silas Beane,
349
00:19:01,100 --> 00:19:04,369
a nuclear physicist
at the University of Washington,
350
00:19:04,370 --> 00:19:08,506
thinks about the grid
like a football field.
351
00:19:08,507 --> 00:19:11,143
Beane: A football field
is known as a gridiron
352
00:19:11,144 --> 00:19:13,345
because of all
the yardage markers.
353
00:19:13,346 --> 00:19:15,582
Now, if you imagine extending
those yardage markers
354
00:19:15,583 --> 00:19:19,018
from sideline to sideline
and from end zone to end zone,
355
00:19:19,019 --> 00:19:21,121
then further extend
those grid lines
356
00:19:21,122 --> 00:19:23,423
into the third dimension
above the field,
357
00:19:23,424 --> 00:19:25,691
then you have a grid
or lattice structure,
358
00:19:25,692 --> 00:19:27,460
which is very similar
to the foundations
359
00:19:27,461 --> 00:19:31,030
of the environment
of a video game.
360
00:19:31,031 --> 00:19:33,366
Freeman: We instinctively
think of the space around us
361
00:19:33,367 --> 00:19:36,335
as continuous and indivisible.
362
00:19:36,336 --> 00:19:39,137
Space doesn't appear
to come in cubes.
363
00:19:39,138 --> 00:19:42,641
But in a digital reality,
it would.
364
00:19:42,642 --> 00:19:45,778
Our grid would have to be
smaller than the smallest thing
365
00:19:45,779 --> 00:19:49,814
we know, a subatomic particle.
366
00:19:49,815 --> 00:19:51,684
Beane: There would still be
minute distances
367
00:19:51,685 --> 00:19:52,918
between the points on the grid
368
00:19:52,919 --> 00:19:54,387
that are connected
to each other.
369
00:19:54,388 --> 00:19:55,553
If we're living in a simulation,
370
00:19:55,554 --> 00:19:58,057
then this is what spacetime
could look like.
371
00:19:58,058 --> 00:20:03,029
Space will always be in discrete
pieces rather than continuous.
372
00:20:03,030 --> 00:20:05,397
Freeman:
Such a fine grained, 3D grid
373
00:20:05,398 --> 00:20:08,967
would be impossible
to notice in our daily lives.
374
00:20:08,968 --> 00:20:14,174
It would even elude almost
all scientific experiments.
375
00:20:14,175 --> 00:20:15,941
But Silas and his colleagues
376
00:20:15,942 --> 00:20:20,781
have devised a plan
to detect it if it exists.
377
00:20:22,048 --> 00:20:26,318
He thinks the most
explosive events in the universe
378
00:20:26,319 --> 00:20:28,855
might give it away.
379
00:20:28,856 --> 00:20:31,256
Supernovas generate streams
380
00:20:31,257 --> 00:20:35,227
of super high energy
cosmic ray particles,
381
00:20:35,228 --> 00:20:38,797
but physicists have noticed
something strange about them.
382
00:20:38,798 --> 00:20:44,837
The highest energy cosmic rays
they expect to see are missing.
383
00:20:44,838 --> 00:20:47,507
Silas thinks the grid
might be the culprit.
384
00:20:47,508 --> 00:20:49,609
Beane: If reality is real,
385
00:20:49,610 --> 00:20:52,177
and there's no artificial
structure to our universe,
386
00:20:52,178 --> 00:20:54,480
then there is no upper limit
on the energy
387
00:20:54,481 --> 00:20:57,651
that a cosmic ray particle can
have when it is first created.
388
00:20:57,652 --> 00:20:59,785
But there does seem to be
a limit,
389
00:20:59,786 --> 00:21:02,955
what we call the cosmic ray
cut off.
390
00:21:02,956 --> 00:21:07,260
Freeman:
If cosmic rays are restricted to moving only along grid lines,
391
00:21:07,261 --> 00:21:10,428
it could act as a break
on their energy.
392
00:21:10,429 --> 00:21:11,964
To test this theory,
393
00:21:11,965 --> 00:21:15,333
Silas and his colleagues want
to compare the energy levels
394
00:21:15,334 --> 00:21:18,637
of cosmic rays traveling
in different directions.
395
00:21:18,638 --> 00:21:21,541
[ Plays note on tuba ]
396
00:21:21,542 --> 00:21:22,974
Imagine if each
of these band members
397
00:21:22,975 --> 00:21:24,510
is a cosmic ray particle.
398
00:21:24,511 --> 00:21:26,180
We can learn a lot
by observing their motion.
399
00:21:26,181 --> 00:21:29,447
[ Drum beating ]
400
00:21:29,448 --> 00:21:31,552
[ Band playing
"star spangled banner" ]
401
00:21:35,421 --> 00:21:37,689
In a universe without
an underlying grid structure,
402
00:21:37,690 --> 00:21:40,259
particles move in the same way
in all directions.
403
00:21:40,260 --> 00:21:41,661
Now let's see what happens
404
00:21:41,662 --> 00:21:44,030
if we assume that there is
an underlying grid structure.
405
00:21:48,836 --> 00:21:51,637
Freeman: Moving straight
along a grid axis is simple,
406
00:21:51,638 --> 00:21:55,441
like the path of band members
in the blue uniforms.
407
00:21:55,442 --> 00:21:58,977
Moving diagonally,
like those in white uniforms,
408
00:21:58,978 --> 00:22:02,749
requires a series
of zig zag steps.
409
00:22:02,750 --> 00:22:05,451
That means they would have
to expend more energy
410
00:22:05,452 --> 00:22:07,586
getting from point "a"
to point "b"
411
00:22:07,587 --> 00:22:10,491
compared with cosmic rays
moving along an axis.
412
00:22:12,725 --> 00:22:14,327
Beane: Another way of saying
that is the particles
413
00:22:14,328 --> 00:22:16,730
moving in different directions
on the grid
414
00:22:16,731 --> 00:22:20,198
would have energies
that depend on the angle.
415
00:22:20,199 --> 00:22:22,501
Freeman:
Silas believes if we measure
416
00:22:22,502 --> 00:22:24,904
cosmic rays
zipping through space
417
00:22:24,905 --> 00:22:27,473
and find that those traveling
at one angle
418
00:22:27,474 --> 00:22:29,241
have consistently
different energies
419
00:22:29,242 --> 00:22:31,609
from those traveling
at another angle,
420
00:22:31,610 --> 00:22:35,580
then we'll know there's a grid
structure to our universe.
421
00:22:35,581 --> 00:22:38,716
Beane:
It's a glitch in the system, an indication that our universe
422
00:22:38,717 --> 00:22:41,920
may be operating in a simulated,
artificial manner.
423
00:22:41,921 --> 00:22:44,823
I think it would cause everyone
to think about the universe
424
00:22:44,824 --> 00:22:48,427
differently and to really search
for an explanation for why
425
00:22:48,428 --> 00:22:51,397
there is this grid structure,
whether it be a natural one
426
00:22:51,398 --> 00:22:56,335
or whether it be due to the fact
that we are being simulated.
427
00:22:56,336 --> 00:22:58,537
Freeman: If we're living
in a virtual reality
428
00:22:58,538 --> 00:23:01,640
inside a computer,
some kind of mass code
429
00:23:01,641 --> 00:23:05,511
must run all the programs
that make up our universe.
430
00:23:05,512 --> 00:23:10,049
You would think that code would
have to be impossibly complex.
431
00:23:10,050 --> 00:23:14,253
But this computer scientist
claims he can run the universe
432
00:23:14,254 --> 00:23:17,858
from the lines of code
on a single note card.
433
00:23:21,500 --> 00:23:26,303
Imagine that some entity,
far more advanced than us,
434
00:23:26,304 --> 00:23:29,438
could invent computer programs
for every aspect
435
00:23:29,439 --> 00:23:33,877
of our universe...
The behavior of atoms,
436
00:23:33,878 --> 00:23:37,548
the laws of gravity,
the human genome.
437
00:23:37,549 --> 00:23:40,384
To manage all
of those individual programs,
438
00:23:40,385 --> 00:23:43,619
the creator
would need some master program,
439
00:23:43,620 --> 00:23:46,089
like a cosmic operating system.
440
00:23:46,090 --> 00:23:53,696
The software would be impossibly
long and complex, right?
441
00:23:53,697 --> 00:23:55,366
Maybe not.
442
00:23:55,367 --> 00:23:57,400
One German computer scientist
443
00:23:57,401 --> 00:24:01,504
claims that these few lines
of code
444
00:24:01,505 --> 00:24:05,610
are all someone
would need to run our universe.
445
00:24:08,213 --> 00:24:09,879
Juergen Schmidhuber
446
00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:13,250
is the director of the Swiss
artificial intelligence lab
447
00:24:13,251 --> 00:24:16,020
in Lugano, Switzerland.
448
00:24:16,021 --> 00:24:20,258
He believes our universe
could well be computer generated
449
00:24:20,259 --> 00:24:24,127
and thinks he knows
how to write its code.
450
00:24:24,128 --> 00:24:26,597
Schmidhuber:
I believe it's quite possible
451
00:24:26,598 --> 00:24:29,700
that our universe is computable,
452
00:24:29,701 --> 00:24:34,637
meaning everything is part
of a computer simulation.
453
00:24:34,638 --> 00:24:35,938
Now, you may say,
454
00:24:35,939 --> 00:24:38,943
"how could you possibly
program the whole universe
455
00:24:38,944 --> 00:24:41,945
within fewer than 10 lines
of code?"
456
00:24:41,946 --> 00:24:43,047
Well, there are many things
457
00:24:43,048 --> 00:24:46,117
about our world
that seem very complex
458
00:24:46,118 --> 00:24:48,784
but really aren't.
459
00:24:48,785 --> 00:24:49,986
Freeman: Juergen believes
460
00:24:49,987 --> 00:24:54,692
it all boils down
to a single core principle...
461
00:24:54,693 --> 00:24:57,194
Data compression.
462
00:24:57,195 --> 00:25:01,331
For example, this is
an incredibly long number,
463
00:25:01,332 --> 00:25:04,367
long enough to wrap
around the world
464
00:25:04,368 --> 00:25:08,704
and come back again
over and over forever.
465
00:25:08,705 --> 00:25:11,008
There's a very simple concept
behind it,
466
00:25:11,009 --> 00:25:13,109
which is the ratio
467
00:25:13,110 --> 00:25:15,312
between the circumference
of a circle
468
00:25:15,313 --> 00:25:19,348
and its diameter, called pi.
469
00:25:19,349 --> 00:25:21,652
There is a very short code,
a short program,
470
00:25:21,653 --> 00:25:25,455
that computes this entire,
long sequence.
471
00:25:25,456 --> 00:25:27,624
Freeman: Compressing
a giant number like pi
472
00:25:27,625 --> 00:25:31,761
into a few characters
of code is simple.
473
00:25:31,762 --> 00:25:35,866
Similar data compression could
be taking place all around us.
474
00:25:35,867 --> 00:25:39,104
Clouds in the sky might be
rendered by simple equations
475
00:25:39,105 --> 00:25:42,572
that generate complex shapes
and movements.
476
00:25:42,573 --> 00:25:46,275
The same goes
for our entire landscape.
477
00:25:46,276 --> 00:25:48,979
Computer generated
fractal landscape programs
478
00:25:48,980 --> 00:25:52,450
take small triangles, stack them
on top of each other
479
00:25:52,451 --> 00:25:56,287
while also rotating and crushing
each other on various sides,
480
00:25:56,288 --> 00:25:59,255
to make very realistic versions
of nature.
481
00:25:59,256 --> 00:26:01,425
And in a virtual reality,
482
00:26:01,426 --> 00:26:03,327
this mountain
or similar mountains
483
00:26:03,328 --> 00:26:07,830
can be created
with just a few lines of code.
484
00:26:07,831 --> 00:26:09,399
Freeman:
A simple repeating program
485
00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:12,602
may work fine
for building a virtual mountain,
486
00:26:12,603 --> 00:26:15,405
but what about living creatures?
487
00:26:15,406 --> 00:26:19,509
How about the complexity
of human behavior?
488
00:26:19,510 --> 00:26:22,445
Can all of our movements
and decisions
489
00:26:22,446 --> 00:26:25,882
be compressed
into simple bits of code?
490
00:26:25,883 --> 00:26:27,451
According to Juergen,
491
00:26:27,452 --> 00:26:31,387
what we call learning
is really data compression.
492
00:26:31,388 --> 00:26:33,624
Anyone who's tried
to find a new address
493
00:26:33,625 --> 00:26:37,328
in an unfamiliar city knows
how complicated that can be.
494
00:26:37,329 --> 00:26:42,198
But once the route has been
learned, the next trip is easy.
495
00:26:42,199 --> 00:26:44,300
Schmidhuber:
Humans are problem solvers.
496
00:26:44,301 --> 00:26:46,569
And any efficient problem solver
497
00:26:46,570 --> 00:26:51,008
is going to try to find
a solution to the given problem
498
00:26:51,009 --> 00:26:54,912
that is both simple and fast.
499
00:26:54,913 --> 00:26:58,516
Freeman:
If Juergen decides to go to the top of a nearby mountain,
500
00:26:58,517 --> 00:27:02,086
he'll use a series
of simple programs to get there.
501
00:27:02,087 --> 00:27:05,756
Each program that goes into
accomplishing the larger task
502
00:27:05,757 --> 00:27:09,326
is known as a subprogram.
503
00:27:09,327 --> 00:27:13,096
The first idea that comes
to mind is to reuse a subprogram
504
00:27:13,097 --> 00:27:15,199
that I learned a long time ago,
505
00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:17,967
which involves sending
electrical signals
506
00:27:17,968 --> 00:27:19,270
to my leg muscles
507
00:27:19,271 --> 00:27:20,837
and make them move
in a certain way.
508
00:27:20,838 --> 00:27:23,175
That's called walking.
509
00:27:26,042 --> 00:27:28,477
Freeman: The coordinated action
of billions of nerve
510
00:27:28,478 --> 00:27:32,183
and muscle cells
is now a simple subprogram.
511
00:27:33,951 --> 00:27:36,854
The same goes for a more complex
interaction
512
00:27:36,855 --> 00:27:40,257
between man and machine.
513
00:27:40,258 --> 00:27:42,593
Schmidhuber: It involves
a little piece of machinery
514
00:27:42,594 --> 00:27:45,463
with two wheels and, again,
another subprogram
515
00:27:45,464 --> 00:27:47,597
that invokes my leg muscles
in a certain way.
516
00:27:47,598 --> 00:27:50,367
And that's called biking.
517
00:27:50,368 --> 00:27:53,037
Freeman: But are there some
aspects of our universe
518
00:27:53,038 --> 00:27:56,473
that can't be compressed
into simple programs?
519
00:27:56,474 --> 00:28:00,543
Surely, we can't compress
everything in our lives.
520
00:28:00,544 --> 00:28:03,312
What if he loses his ticket?
521
00:28:03,313 --> 00:28:05,581
What if the tram breaks down?
522
00:28:05,582 --> 00:28:09,419
Can truly random events
be programmed?
523
00:28:09,420 --> 00:28:10,654
Juergen believes
524
00:28:10,655 --> 00:28:14,223
that what we see as random
or accidental events
525
00:28:14,224 --> 00:28:17,528
only have the appearance
of randomness.
526
00:28:17,529 --> 00:28:22,132
They are what he calls
pseudorandom.
527
00:28:22,133 --> 00:28:25,702
So if this universe can be
computed by a short program,
528
00:28:25,703 --> 00:28:29,473
than by definition
it cannot be random.
529
00:28:29,474 --> 00:28:32,710
It must be pseudorandom,
just like pi,
530
00:28:32,711 --> 00:28:36,647
because truly random data
is not compressible.
531
00:28:38,081 --> 00:28:41,217
Freeman: If Juergen is right,
then there is no luck,
532
00:28:41,218 --> 00:28:44,088
no chance, no free will.
533
00:28:44,089 --> 00:28:46,757
Everything we've ever done
and will do
534
00:28:46,758 --> 00:28:50,461
has already been programmed.
535
00:28:50,462 --> 00:28:52,695
So maybe all aspects
of our universe
536
00:28:52,696 --> 00:28:56,465
can be broken down
into simple subprograms.
537
00:28:56,466 --> 00:29:01,171
But how could a short master
program control all of them?
538
00:29:01,172 --> 00:29:04,974
Juergen believes it only
takes one final act
539
00:29:04,975 --> 00:29:07,409
of data compression.
540
00:29:07,410 --> 00:29:09,613
Schmidhuber: We just write
a very short program
541
00:29:09,614 --> 00:29:13,283
which lists
all our possible programs,
542
00:29:13,284 --> 00:29:15,184
starting with the shortest.
543
00:29:15,185 --> 00:29:17,887
And the entire list of programs
is very easy to generate.
544
00:29:17,888 --> 00:29:20,557
And then,
this massive program allocates
545
00:29:20,558 --> 00:29:22,826
run time to each of these
546
00:29:22,827 --> 00:29:25,864
such that all of them get
a share of the total run time.
547
00:29:27,865 --> 00:29:29,934
Freeman: It's hard
not to feel insignificant
548
00:29:29,935 --> 00:29:32,569
if we're all just bits
of computer code,
549
00:29:32,570 --> 00:29:34,137
but Juergen believes it actually
550
00:29:34,138 --> 00:29:38,107
makes each of us more important
than ever.
551
00:29:38,108 --> 00:29:41,377
Schmidhuber: If you change a bit
of this program,
552
00:29:41,378 --> 00:29:44,580
maybe all of this
would completely disappear.
553
00:29:44,581 --> 00:29:46,550
And the whole universe
will be very different.
554
00:29:46,551 --> 00:29:49,185
In that sense,
you can view yourself
555
00:29:49,186 --> 00:29:53,089
as an essential ingredient
of the entire universe.
556
00:29:53,090 --> 00:29:56,659
It will be very difficult
to edit you out of it
557
00:29:56,660 --> 00:29:58,662
because the only way
of getting rid of you
558
00:29:58,663 --> 00:30:01,898
is to make the whole thing
more complex.
559
00:30:01,899 --> 00:30:05,601
Freeman:
If everything in our universe is made from computer code,
560
00:30:05,602 --> 00:30:08,672
then the fundamental building
blocks of our existence
561
00:30:08,673 --> 00:30:12,375
are information
instead of matter.
562
00:30:12,376 --> 00:30:16,680
If so, can we find those bits
and bytes of reality?
563
00:30:16,681 --> 00:30:20,085
One physicist claims
to have done just that.
564
00:30:24,589 --> 00:30:28,125
What forms the foundation
of our reality?
565
00:30:28,126 --> 00:30:31,194
If you could look
deep inside every atom
566
00:30:31,195 --> 00:30:33,696
and every ray of sunshine,
567
00:30:33,697 --> 00:30:36,300
you'd find
fundamental particles,
568
00:30:36,301 --> 00:30:40,502
the building blocks
of matter and energy.
569
00:30:40,503 --> 00:30:43,473
But what are they made of?
570
00:30:43,474 --> 00:30:45,142
Could the building blocks
of reality
571
00:30:45,143 --> 00:30:49,548
be simply bits of information?
572
00:30:54,085 --> 00:30:57,822
Theoretical physicist Jim Gates
at the University of Maryland
573
00:30:57,823 --> 00:31:00,022
investigates the physics
and mathematics
574
00:31:00,023 --> 00:31:03,726
of the fundamental particles
in our universe.
575
00:31:03,727 --> 00:31:05,561
Gates:
Well, you see, we physicists,
576
00:31:05,562 --> 00:31:08,364
you could call us a company
called equations "r" us
577
00:31:08,365 --> 00:31:09,767
because what we really do
578
00:31:09,768 --> 00:31:12,001
is write equations
that describe nature,
579
00:31:12,002 --> 00:31:13,970
and then use those to make
predictions about things
580
00:31:13,971 --> 00:31:15,405
that no one has ever found
581
00:31:15,406 --> 00:31:18,441
or seen
or even dreamed of before.
582
00:31:18,442 --> 00:31:20,844
Freeman: Jim investigates
how the fundamental particles
583
00:31:20,845 --> 00:31:23,581
of the universe interact
with each other.
584
00:31:23,582 --> 00:31:26,549
Because he is a proponent
of the controversial concept
585
00:31:26,550 --> 00:31:28,886
called string theory,
586
00:31:28,887 --> 00:31:33,557
Jim often finds himself
selling his ideas to skeptics.
587
00:31:33,558 --> 00:31:37,295
String theory includes
at least 10 dimensions of space
588
00:31:37,296 --> 00:31:40,496
and many particles that have
not yet been discovered.
589
00:31:40,497 --> 00:31:44,634
It's all based
on some very complicated math.
590
00:31:44,635 --> 00:31:46,938
I found some
very puzzling signs that,
591
00:31:46,939 --> 00:31:49,205
buried in the equations
that I was studying,
592
00:31:49,206 --> 00:31:51,008
there was another set
of equations.
593
00:31:51,009 --> 00:31:53,178
We discussed this
with some mathematicians,
594
00:31:53,179 --> 00:31:56,847
and to our great disappointment,
the reaction of mathematicians
595
00:31:56,848 --> 00:32:00,685
were, "what in the world
are you talking about?"
596
00:32:03,253 --> 00:32:06,522
Freeman: To make the equations
easier to understand,
597
00:32:06,523 --> 00:32:09,425
Jim turned them into geometry.
598
00:32:09,426 --> 00:32:12,861
He represented the interactions
between subatomic particles
599
00:32:12,862 --> 00:32:16,265
as specific,
three dimensional shapes.
600
00:32:16,266 --> 00:32:19,235
He called the structures
adinkras.
601
00:32:19,236 --> 00:32:20,771
The name is derived
602
00:32:20,772 --> 00:32:25,540
from a west African symbol used
to represent abstract concepts.
603
00:32:25,541 --> 00:32:27,377
I could have my equations
604
00:32:27,378 --> 00:32:29,011
that I understand in the way
that I do,
605
00:32:29,012 --> 00:32:31,380
but I can put it in front
of a mathematician and ask,
606
00:32:31,381 --> 00:32:33,015
"what is it that you see here?"
607
00:32:33,016 --> 00:32:35,184
They will begin
to tell me a different story,
608
00:32:35,185 --> 00:32:36,886
and that's the power
of collaboration.
609
00:32:36,887 --> 00:32:39,356
And that's
what started happening with us.
610
00:32:39,357 --> 00:32:42,125
Freeman: Jim collaborated with
physicists and mathematicians
611
00:32:42,126 --> 00:32:44,862
to examine how the parts
of an adinkra structure
612
00:32:44,863 --> 00:32:46,663
relate to each other.
613
00:32:46,664 --> 00:32:49,532
Buried within the convoluted
calculations,
614
00:32:49,533 --> 00:32:52,769
Jim found something
that looked familiar.
615
00:32:52,770 --> 00:32:56,406
It looked like computer code.
616
00:32:56,407 --> 00:32:59,876
It turns out that expressing
the relationship between them
617
00:32:59,877 --> 00:33:03,012
is easiest if you use ones
and zeroes.
618
00:33:03,013 --> 00:33:05,382
These are called bits
in computer science.
619
00:33:05,383 --> 00:33:08,552
I know of no other example
in the kinds of equations
620
00:33:08,553 --> 00:33:10,720
that describe
fundamental science
621
00:33:10,721 --> 00:33:11,988
where bits have occurred.
622
00:33:11,989 --> 00:33:13,556
And even more remarkably,
623
00:33:13,557 --> 00:33:15,459
we have found that the bits
in our equations
624
00:33:15,460 --> 00:33:19,663
arranged themselves
into error correcting codes,
625
00:33:19,664 --> 00:33:22,166
something that makes
your browser work every day.
626
00:33:24,368 --> 00:33:26,002
Freeman: When you surf the web
627
00:33:26,003 --> 00:33:29,271
or use any form
of digital communication,
628
00:33:29,272 --> 00:33:31,674
crucial ones or zeroes
629
00:33:31,675 --> 00:33:35,579
are inevitably lost
in the transmission.
630
00:33:35,580 --> 00:33:38,915
Error correcting codes
fill in the dropped bits.
631
00:33:38,916 --> 00:33:40,951
They protect data
from corruption
632
00:33:40,952 --> 00:33:44,820
and prevent computer programs
from crashing.
633
00:33:44,821 --> 00:33:47,357
Jim believes
the error correcting codes
634
00:33:47,358 --> 00:33:49,926
he discovered work
in the same way,
635
00:33:49,927 --> 00:33:55,397
to maintain the stability
of subatomic interactions.
636
00:33:55,398 --> 00:33:57,033
Without this error correction,
637
00:33:57,034 --> 00:34:00,403
the way fundamental particles
interact could be corrupted,
638
00:34:00,404 --> 00:34:03,641
like a computer crash
on a universal scale.
639
00:34:05,543 --> 00:34:07,278
Gates:
Then you can ask, "well, gee.
640
00:34:07,279 --> 00:34:09,946
Does that mean
that somehow our universe
641
00:34:09,947 --> 00:34:13,015
is like a big computer
simulation?"
642
00:34:13,016 --> 00:34:14,450
Freeman: The idea that nature
643
00:34:14,451 --> 00:34:18,521
might use error correction codes
at first seemed wrong to Jim,
644
00:34:18,522 --> 00:34:21,624
but he soon
found another example.
645
00:34:21,625 --> 00:34:23,628
Gates: It turns out there's one
piece of natural science
646
00:34:23,629 --> 00:34:26,897
in which this discussion
has been going on for decades.
647
00:34:26,898 --> 00:34:28,600
It's genetics.
648
00:34:32,837 --> 00:34:34,370
Freeman: In the human body,
649
00:34:34,371 --> 00:34:38,374
error correcting codes allow us
to stay healthy and strong.
650
00:34:38,375 --> 00:34:42,678
The codes act to stabilize
the genome.
651
00:34:42,679 --> 00:34:44,680
Freeman:
Genetic error correcting codes
652
00:34:44,681 --> 00:34:48,051
ensure that cells
copy themselves accurately
653
00:34:48,052 --> 00:34:50,854
throughout
an organism's lifetime.
654
00:34:50,855 --> 00:34:54,990
Think of the DNA replicating
itself while a cell divides
655
00:34:54,991 --> 00:34:58,528
as being like a fighter
trying to stay strong and stable
656
00:34:58,529 --> 00:35:00,763
during a round in the ring.
657
00:35:00,764 --> 00:35:02,464
Gates: We can imagine that,
658
00:35:02,465 --> 00:35:05,301
if our fighter doesn't have
error correcting codes,
659
00:35:05,302 --> 00:35:08,740
the first thing that happens is
one of his arms stops working.
660
00:35:12,110 --> 00:35:15,380
Next, his legs stop working.
661
00:35:17,848 --> 00:35:20,716
Then his eyes fail.
662
00:35:20,717 --> 00:35:23,185
Without error correcting codes,
663
00:35:23,186 --> 00:35:27,022
he is quickly deteriorating,
struggling to survive.
664
00:35:27,023 --> 00:35:28,758
There is no stability,
665
00:35:28,759 --> 00:35:31,261
and he could collapse
at any moment.
666
00:35:37,166 --> 00:35:40,970
Now, a fighter equipped
with error correcting codes
667
00:35:40,971 --> 00:35:44,240
will eventually also
deteriorate.
668
00:35:44,241 --> 00:35:48,444
However, the error correcting
codes act to sustain vigor
669
00:35:48,445 --> 00:35:50,946
for a much longer time.
670
00:35:50,947 --> 00:35:53,450
Freeman: When bad copies
of genes get made,
671
00:35:53,451 --> 00:35:58,521
the results can be cell death
or malfunctions like cancer.
672
00:35:58,522 --> 00:36:02,725
Genetic error correction
reduces the copy failure rate
673
00:36:02,726 --> 00:36:05,060
to less than one in a billion.
674
00:36:05,061 --> 00:36:07,497
And this is an analogy
for the role
675
00:36:07,498 --> 00:36:09,999
that error correcting codes
could play in the structure
676
00:36:10,000 --> 00:36:12,169
of something like our universe.
677
00:36:12,170 --> 00:36:14,305
Freeman: Our universe has been
running smoothly
678
00:36:14,306 --> 00:36:17,506
for almost 14 billion years.
679
00:36:17,507 --> 00:36:19,910
Maybe it has lasted that long
680
00:36:19,911 --> 00:36:21,845
thanks
to error correcting codes,
681
00:36:21,846 --> 00:36:24,379
codes that make sure
the fundamental particles
682
00:36:24,380 --> 00:36:27,484
in our cosmos don't go haywire.
683
00:36:31,689 --> 00:36:33,456
But nothing lasts forever.
684
00:36:33,457 --> 00:36:36,426
Eventually, our universe
will begin to age.
685
00:36:36,427 --> 00:36:38,927
Errors will creep in,
and it will die.
686
00:36:38,928 --> 00:36:41,163
Or what if the codes
Jim discovered
687
00:36:41,164 --> 00:36:43,400
really are computer generated?
688
00:36:43,401 --> 00:36:45,835
Whoever programmed the cosmos
689
00:36:45,836 --> 00:36:48,839
could decide to pull the plug
at any moment.
690
00:36:48,840 --> 00:36:52,410
Maybe it's time
to create our own universe.
691
00:36:55,600 --> 00:37:00,505
Is our universe
a natural one or artificial?
692
00:37:00,506 --> 00:37:03,474
Either way,
it can't last forever.
693
00:37:03,475 --> 00:37:08,979
So, is there anything
we can do to save ourselves?
694
00:37:08,980 --> 00:37:13,718
Perhaps we need to design
our own new universe
695
00:37:13,719 --> 00:37:15,488
and move there.
696
00:37:18,323 --> 00:37:22,994
Philosopher Clement Vidal of
the free university in Brussels
697
00:37:22,995 --> 00:37:27,932
believes we need to take control
of our cosmic destiny.
698
00:37:27,933 --> 00:37:31,202
Vidal: It's almost certain
that our universe will end.
699
00:37:31,203 --> 00:37:34,072
So, should we accept this
as a blunt fact?
700
00:37:34,073 --> 00:37:35,941
I don't believe so.
701
00:37:35,942 --> 00:37:37,842
I think we should do something
about it.
702
00:37:37,843 --> 00:37:41,177
And if we take inspiration
from biology,
703
00:37:41,178 --> 00:37:42,747
which is to reproduce,
704
00:37:42,748 --> 00:37:46,284
so maybe we
should reproduce the universe.
705
00:37:46,285 --> 00:37:47,952
Freeman:
We all want a better life,
706
00:37:47,953 --> 00:37:50,153
a better home for our kids.
707
00:37:50,154 --> 00:37:53,557
And Clement believes
we may one day
708
00:37:53,558 --> 00:37:57,462
be able to give our descendants
a better universe as well.
709
00:38:00,466 --> 00:38:04,269
It's a big project,
to say the least.
710
00:38:04,270 --> 00:38:07,539
According to Clement,
we'll have to practice first
711
00:38:07,540 --> 00:38:12,110
by building virtual,
computer simulated universes.
712
00:38:12,111 --> 00:38:13,912
Vidal:
In any engineering project,
713
00:38:13,913 --> 00:38:17,883
you start by making a simulation
of what you want to build.
714
00:38:17,884 --> 00:38:19,150
So I imagine that,
715
00:38:19,151 --> 00:38:21,619
in the far future,
an advanced civilization
716
00:38:21,620 --> 00:38:26,090
would want to explore the space
of possible universes
717
00:38:26,091 --> 00:38:29,360
and then select the universe
they want to build.
718
00:38:29,361 --> 00:38:31,528
One of the most important things
we need to learn
719
00:38:31,529 --> 00:38:35,700
is how our universe
came to be fine tuned for life,
720
00:38:35,701 --> 00:38:40,371
and simulations
can help us to learn that.
721
00:38:40,372 --> 00:38:43,039
Freeman:
When the simulations are done
722
00:38:43,040 --> 00:38:46,977
and we're ready to build
a new home for our descendants,
723
00:38:46,978 --> 00:38:54,218
we'll need one more thing...
A colossal source of energy.
724
00:38:54,219 --> 00:38:56,621
Vidal:
The making of a new universe
725
00:38:56,622 --> 00:39:00,258
will most likely
resemble another big bang.
726
00:39:00,259 --> 00:39:02,695
So the energies
would be very high,
727
00:39:02,696 --> 00:39:04,796
and to make this new universe,
728
00:39:04,797 --> 00:39:07,398
we'd be disconnected
from our own,
729
00:39:07,399 --> 00:39:12,537
which means that it will have
a new space time structure.
730
00:39:12,538 --> 00:39:16,073
Freeman: Making the big bang
may sound impossible,
731
00:39:16,074 --> 00:39:20,445
but Clement believes a special
type of binary star system
732
00:39:20,446 --> 00:39:23,014
could provide the needed energy.
733
00:39:23,015 --> 00:39:25,249
Supermassive stars,
such as white dwarves
734
00:39:25,250 --> 00:39:29,220
and neutron stars, have enormous
gravitational pull.
735
00:39:29,221 --> 00:39:31,021
If another star is close enough,
736
00:39:31,022 --> 00:39:33,825
the more massive star
sucks in the energy
737
00:39:33,826 --> 00:39:35,959
from the companion star.
738
00:39:35,960 --> 00:39:38,896
Clement believes
we could harness
739
00:39:38,897 --> 00:39:41,633
this enormous concentration
of energy.
740
00:39:45,103 --> 00:39:48,472
Think of it as an incredibly
scaled up version
741
00:39:48,473 --> 00:39:53,077
of a renewable energy plant.
742
00:39:53,078 --> 00:39:56,113
These wood pellets
are converted into electricity
743
00:39:56,114 --> 00:39:58,215
at this biomass plant.
744
00:39:58,216 --> 00:40:02,521
In a similar way,
the energy of a companion star
745
00:40:02,522 --> 00:40:05,657
is converted
into a denser form of energy,
746
00:40:05,658 --> 00:40:09,659
into white dwarves
and neutron stars.
747
00:40:09,660 --> 00:40:15,333
Freeman:
Imagine this power plant is the size of a neutron star,
748
00:40:15,334 --> 00:40:17,168
and these pellets
are being harvested
749
00:40:17,169 --> 00:40:20,771
from another nearby star.
750
00:40:20,772 --> 00:40:22,173
They are so dense
751
00:40:22,174 --> 00:40:26,544
that a single pellet would weigh
more than mount Everest.
752
00:40:26,545 --> 00:40:28,713
Clement thinks if we can use
753
00:40:28,714 --> 00:40:32,450
that enormous concentration
of matter and energy,
754
00:40:32,451 --> 00:40:36,988
we'll have the power to change
the fabric of the universe.
755
00:40:36,989 --> 00:40:39,624
Well, to create a new universe,
presumably,
756
00:40:39,625 --> 00:40:43,929
you would have to manipulate
the structure of spacetime.
757
00:40:43,930 --> 00:40:48,865
And this spacetime becomes,
in some theories,
758
00:40:48,866 --> 00:40:53,671
malleable
at very high densities.
759
00:40:53,672 --> 00:40:57,374
Freeman:
Could we someday harness the energy of super dense stars
760
00:40:57,375 --> 00:41:02,445
to manipulate spacetime
and create our own big bang?
761
00:41:02,446 --> 00:41:06,584
Clement's theory of universe
creation is far from mainstream,
762
00:41:06,585 --> 00:41:10,923
but he hopes that someday
his concept will be tested.
763
00:41:12,056 --> 00:41:15,358
I'm confident that a test can be
devised because we have plenty
764
00:41:15,359 --> 00:41:19,363
of data about those interacting
binary star systems.
765
00:41:19,364 --> 00:41:22,599
So we just need to...
To think creatively
766
00:41:22,600 --> 00:41:27,771
and scientifically about
how to test the hypothesis.
767
00:41:27,772 --> 00:41:29,106
Freeman: The first tests
768
00:41:29,107 --> 00:41:32,977
will no doubt be done
through computer simulations.
769
00:41:32,978 --> 00:41:34,945
Perhaps some other civilization,
770
00:41:34,946 --> 00:41:36,947
more advanced than ours,
771
00:41:36,948 --> 00:41:41,785
is already conducting
these tests with us.
772
00:41:41,786 --> 00:41:44,755
Are we living in a universe
created by someone
773
00:41:44,756 --> 00:41:47,592
or something else?
774
00:41:47,593 --> 00:41:50,461
If so, is it a beta version
775
00:41:50,462 --> 00:41:54,130
that an advanced entity
is still tinkering with,
776
00:41:54,131 --> 00:41:57,802
or is it a version
they've programmed to last?
777
00:42:04,576 --> 00:42:06,711
Maybe someday,
778
00:42:06,712 --> 00:42:10,314
we'll find proof
that we're all players
779
00:42:10,315 --> 00:42:14,418
in the greatest video game
ever made.
780
00:42:14,419 --> 00:42:19,956
Would that knowledge make
us feel manipulated like pawns?
781
00:42:19,957 --> 00:42:22,726
Or would it free us
to take risks
782
00:42:22,727 --> 00:42:27,632
and live life to the fullest
because none of this is real?
783
00:42:30,736 --> 00:42:35,438
Either way, whether it's natural
or artificial,
784
00:42:35,439 --> 00:42:39,443
life is a glorious game,
785
00:42:39,444 --> 00:42:41,346
and we should play to win.
786
00:42:41,396 --> 00:42:45,946
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