Are We Living in a Simulation? Is Everything We Know an Illusion? With Rizwan Virk

The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

In this mind-expanding episode, Niall is joined by Rizwan Virk, an MIT-trained computer scientist, video game developer, entrepreneur, and author, who passionately advocates for Simulation Theory—the idea that our reality might be an artificial simulation, much like a highly advanced video game. With his deep understanding of technology and quantum physics, Riz presents a compelling case that challenges the foundations of our perception of reality.

Riz begins by exploring the concept of the "simulation point," a pivotal moment in technological development where we could create virtual worlds so realistic that their inhabitants—potentially including us—wouldn’t know they are inside a simulation. He draws on his own experiences with virtual reality and AI to highlight how close we are to creating such immersive environments, offering a glimpse into a future where the line between reality and simulation is blurred. He compares this to the experiences he’s had testing advanced VR games where, even briefly, his mind was tricked into believing the virtual world was real. Riz proposes that if technology continues to evolve at this pace, the simulated world might one day be indistinguishable from our own.

The conversation then touches on the observer effect from quantum mechanics, illustrating how the act of observing particles impacts their behavior—just as in a video game, environments only render when a player interacts with them. Riz links this to the potential for a simulated universe, where reality only fully exists when observed or interacted with. He brings in the famous double-slit experiment to support this idea, highlighting how light behaves differently when it is observed, further deepening the connection between quantum physics and Simulation Theory.

Riz also brings an intriguing spiritual dimension into the discussion, suggesting that ancient religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and even aspects of Christianity have long hinted at the idea that this world is not the "true" reality. He proposes that these religious concepts of illusion (or "maya" in Hindu philosophy) may have been early metaphors for what we now consider Simulation Theory. For example, in these traditions, life is often depicted as an illusion, or a temporary experience that one transcends after death—ideas that align closely with the concept of living in a simulation.

The episode explores the philosophical implications of living in a simulated universe, particularly when Niall and Riz discuss the possibility of multiple simulations stacked within each other—much like a set of Russian dolls. Riz shares how physicists and philosophers alike have started to seriously consider the possibility of multiverses or multiple pasts, where every decision branches into different versions of reality. They ponder the idea that each of us might be living through different versions of the same life, in different simulated realities, each with its own outcomes.

The conversation also addresses the fascinating concept of time within a simulation. Riz and Niall discuss how time could flow differently for different people, just as it does in video games where time is experienced subjectively depending on the "player’s" actions and perception. This leads into a broader discussion on time dilation, relativity, and how Simulation Theory might provide an explanation for the strange ways time behaves, both in quantum physics and in our daily lives.

Riz also unpacks the existential implications of the theory, asking whether we are avatars within a simulation controlled by outside forces or even ourselves in a higher reality. They explore how this idea fits into the multiverse hypothesis, where every possible outcome of our lives could be playing out in parallel universes or simulations. Could our lives, our decisions, and even our deaths be mere elements in a grand simulation running multiple versions of reality?

Niall and Riz leave no stone unturned in this thought-provoking discussion, challenging listeners to rethink everything they know about existence. Are we players in a cosmic game? Is everything we experience merely rendered for our benefit? And, if we are in a simulation, who or what is running it—and what does that mean for our understanding of life, death, and the universe? By the end of the episode, you’ll be questioning whether our reality is as concrete as it seems—or if it’s just another program running on a higher system.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, philosophy, and quantum physics, offering a deep dive into one of the most compelling theories of our time.