Living in a Simulation with Neil deGrasse Tyson and Nick Bostrom – Cosmic Queries

Are we in a simulation? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice take a deep dive into simulation theory, consciousness, and free will with Oxford theorist Nick Bostrom. Is this The Matrix?

Why do we even think we may be in a simulation? We get into the reasons why the simulation hypothesis may or may not be true. Are there simulations within simulations? What is an ancestor simulation? We explore different types of simulations and what the purpose may be. Could higher beings be making simulations the same way we make video games and movies for entertainment? Is there any evidence we are in a simulation?

How would you simulate the human brain and everything it experiences? Would you have to simulate the whole universe? We answer patron questions like: What sort of energy would society need to make a simulation? We break down the Kardashev Scale, superintelligence, and the Death Star. What is panpsychism? We explore what consciousness means and what simulation means for our free will. Could a computer ever be conscious?

We get theological with it as we ask: If we are in a simulation would we have free will? Or a god? If we are in a simulation, why are the people running it so patient? We explore computation, algorithms, and what sort of technology would be needed. Is a computer inevitable? Could we simulate an exact replica of our universe to be able to predict the future? All that, plus, find out what’s going on in Neil’s Sims games.

Thanks to our Patrons Joshua Mooneyham, Mike Reno, Eric Ennis, Bill Savage, Kevin Meyer, Lise Rafaelsen, and Andre Lewis for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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00:00 - Introduction
03:00 - Why we might be living in a simulation
12:24 - Is there evidence for the simulation argument?
16:09 - Is Nick Bostrom just high?
18:43 - Is the universe's complexity part of the simulation?
23:59 - Patreon Q&A
24:54 - What is the Kardashev scale?
27:14 - What stage might the simulators appear on the Kardashev scale?
29:28 - Where does consciousness fit into a simulation model?
36:38 - Why must the simulation take place on computers?
39:35 - Do we have free will? And is there a God in the simulation model?
43:44 - Is general AI a question of hardware and processing speed?
47:51 - Why are the simulators so patient?
50:07 - Could we simulate our universe to predict the future?
52:22 - Can the human brain come to understand itself?
54:22 - Closing notes

[barakreibman]

The best part of this podcast is Chuck and Neil laughing back and forth while nick just stares at the screen

[Sumppen]

Either Chuck is getting smarter, or maybe the simulation of him got a boost?

[BradChaney-jv]

I am a 35-year-old Systems Administrator who has always been intrigued on how Science and God relate. You're the man who introduced me to thinking outside the "norm" and allowed me to begin my journey of knowledge decades ago when I was only a boy. I am now conscious. Neil deGrasse Tyson, you are my hero. I admire your work as well as your mind. My wish would be to some day meet you, or even a mere two word reply from you would be the chance of a lifetime for me. Thank you for your dedication

[lucasjim]

I must say I would love to have friends to sit down and talk about these kind of subjects. Since I was a kid, I think about it. Even before internet and sci-fi I had some insights on the subject.

It's a relief to see Chuck and Neil having those conversations in such a light way. I love science and philosophy, but not always have time to dedicate to the fine details (math and deep technical aspects of things). Conversations like this make my day.

[pmaxjoy]

My question is: what makes Nick laugh? Dude barely brake a smile while Neil and Chuck laughing their heads off.
Very nice 👌 talk, loved every moment of it.

[deinpersonlicherastronaut]

This is one of the best channels here on youtube, it helps me stay sane during difficult times, thank you!

[Prince.Hamlet]

Hi Norwegian here. Swedes are not known for their sense of humor just wanted to let everyone know that. He means no harm.

[wrightmf]

I first perceived Chuck as the comic relief but now I think he like most comedians have a good sense of what kinds of questions the general public may have. While astrophysicists are up there in the lofty aspects of science, the comedians are more connected with people as they make fun of foibles, etc. Chuck can ask or bring up aspects many people may have. After all, a lot of big budget science programs are funded by general taxpayers.

[EmpyreanLightASMR]

Neil is a polite host and giving his guest the benefit of the doubt, but anyone who knows Neil knows full well Neil isn't convinced in the least 😂

[LocalFiveGuy]

Great episode. Imagine if you were playing "The Sims" or even "Sim City" and the characters in the game figured out that they are in a simulation. What would they do?

[Bnonan]

I just have to say... I can't believe how much this messed me up! I never thought I could be pulled into something like this. Very impressive on Theorist Nick Bostrom. That's amazing. Lot of good arguments/points to this.

[gregory]

Why do I get the feeling that Nick is taking the whole "we're living in a simulation" thing much more seriously than Neil and Chuck?

[BDM-PAISLEY-EDDIE]

It's so cool when I'm falling in a YouTube hole and run across NDT and Chuck Nice on Star Talk!

[SOrl]

Nick Bostrom is the absolute best guest to have on. Honestly though, the direction a lot of this went in was for very trivial and odd things (based on questions and Neil steering). I really wish you guys would've let him expand on more of the interesting stuff. It seems every interview Nick is in, he just has to re-explain the basics and correct everyone's misunderstandings - I was hoping this wouldn't be the case for StarTalk. I still got a lot of ideas from the interview though, and would love to see him on again! Superintelligence would be a great next topic for this podcast.

[acewiza]

I love the way Neil keeps trying to project real things into the absolutely abstract. It's like reverse physics.

[LiveeyePhoto]

this is going to be a great episode. Merry Christmas Neil and Chuck. You taught us so much in 2021 and I can’t wait to see what you have for us for 2022

[skylark]

I'm not sure if this was already said, but one way of knowing if we are in a simulation would be signs of our simulation running low on (computing) memory, eg. when doing some really complex operations like creating another simulation ourselves. As the number of simulations keeps increasing, there will be a point somewhere when the power available approaches some finite limit.

[marce]

This guy is so smart he stays at the theoretical level and very much reminds me of the old Greek philosophers. They would argue among other things that a hare could never catch up with a tortoise because the hare would only cut the distance in half every moment.

[paralusional]

At 21:09 Nick explains about how difficult it would be to simulate every little detail of a universe. As he himself explains, one possibility to tackle this problem is to simulate just enough of the parts that are being observed WHEN they are observed, so as to simulated creatures, it would seem real to a point where they wouldn't be able to tell.

Well pardon me here BUT IS THAT NOT WHAT HAPPENS IN QUANTUM LEVEL? Could wave-particle duality (at least to me, a curious layman) be a strong indication that we are, indeed, in a simulation?

And most important of all, if they track this comment, will I be persecuted by the masterminds of our simulated world? LOL

[BlueRain]

Even if Neil doesn't necessarily buy it, I'm happy these types of episodes exist. This is an interesting dialogue and it enables the viewer to do their own research and draw their own conclusions.