A team of physicists led by Mir Faizal at the University of British Columbia has demonstrated that the universe cannot be a computer simulation, according to research published in October 2025[^1].
The key findings show that reality requires non-algorithmic understanding that cannot be simulated computationally. The researchers used mathematical theorems from Gödel, Tarski, and Chaitin to prove that a complete description of reality cannot be achieved through computation alone[^1].
The team proposes that physics needs a "Meta Theory of Everything" (MToE) - a non-algorithmic layer above the algorithmic one to determine truth from outside the mathematical system[^1]. This would help investigate phenomena like the black hole information paradox without violating mathematical rules.
"Any simulation is inherently algorithmic – it must follow programmed rules," said Faizal. "But since the fundamental level of reality is based on non-algorithmic understanding, the universe cannot be, and could never be, a simulation"[^1].
Lawrence Krauss, a co-author of the study, explained: "The fundamental laws of physics cannot exist inside space and time; they create it. This signifies that any simulation, which must be utilized within a computational framework, would never fully express the true universe"[^2].
The research was published in the Journal of Holography Applications in Physics[^1].
[^1]: ScienceAlert - Physicists Just Ruled Out The Universe Being a Simulation
[^2]: The Brighter Side - The universe is not and could never be a simulation, study finds
This is the third time I have seen this story come up from three different science journalism websites recently.
Here is the actual published proof.
It seems a lot of commenters on these threads have a lot of skepticism about the authors claims, as we should with such a bold claim. Are there any mathematicians or logicians here that can actually unpack the proof with scrutiny and explain it to me in lay terms?
Meant to reply to you but ended up replying to the main post. I’m only an amateur mathematician but maybe you’ll find my take useful
Thank you!