"The Matrix" is real: we exist in a simulation of the universe, as a new law of physics elucidates this concept.

At the beginning of the 21st century, a theory emerged, supported by some scientists, claiming that our Universe is merely a simulation. In other words, we live in a world akin to that depicted in the "Matrix" film trilogy. This implies that the entire Universe we inhabit is not the true reality, but instead a virtual realm. Theorists who advocate for this idea, working within the field of informational physics, believe that our reality is composed of bits of information, which can also possess mass. Physicist Melvin Vopson from the University of Portsmouth (UK) is one such theorist, and he has proposed possible scenarios for the simulation of the Universe in which humanity resides, as reported by IFLScience.

Melvin Vopson gained international recognition last year after announcing that he had discovered a new law of physics. This law is referred to as the second law of informational dynamics. According to this law, information has mass, and all elementary particles in the Universe contain information. Furthermore, Vopson claims that this law provides evidence that we might be living in a simulation of the Universe. The physicist stated that he found potential proof of this by studying virus mutations. Vopson believes that there are processes, such as symmetry in the Universe and virus mutations, which seem inclined to minimize the amount of information in the Universe. Given that the second law of informational dynamics applies to all components of the Universe, it suggests that it is an artificially created simulation, according to the physicist.

According to Vopson, such a complex Universe as ours, if it is indeed a simulation, would require optimization and compression of information. This is precisely what can be observed around us in our reality, including biological systems and mathematical symmetries.

This hypothesis calls for evidence, but none currently exists. Nonetheless, Vopson has proposed several types of simulations in which humanity might exist. He believes that this virtual world could have been created by a more advanced extraterrestrial civilization for specific reasons.

In one scenario, an extraterrestrial civilization might have created a simulation of our Universe for entertainment purposes—essentially to use simulated beings to live entirely different lives.

Another possibility suggests that all conscious experiences of humans are merely a byproduct of an advanced extraterrestrial civilization attempting to solve its own problems, such as ecological, economic, or energy issues. In this case, intelligent aliens might observe how a simulated version of themselves could address these challenges. If a solution is found, it could be applied in the base reality.

Yet another scenario posits that time may pass much faster in the base reality, allowing aliens to live several lives within the simulation while only a few hours elapse in the actual reality.

So far, there is no evidence that we live in a virtual world rather than a base reality. Thus, such hypotheses remain in the realm of science fiction. On the other hand, proving that we live in a simulation from within it is nearly impossible.

Nevertheless, Vopson and other proponents of this hypothesis believe it can be tested. The physicist argues that observable processes in the Universe resemble how excess information is cleared from a computer's hard drive to save space. This serves as one of the probable pieces of evidence that we exist in a virtual world created by an incredibly powerful computer. Testing the notion that we live in a simulation could involve detecting the destruction of information during particle and antiparticle collisions. After all, according to Vopson's hypothesis, information is the fundamental building block of our Universe.

Theoretically, anything is possible, but any theory requires evidence. Perhaps Vopson or other physicists will find it, or maybe they won't. Therefore, it may turn out that one fine (or not so fine) day, we all awaken to find ourselves roused by Morpheus, with Neo by our side. But for now, this sounds too unreal to be true. Reflecting on another science fiction project, "The X-Files," one could say that the truth is out there.