MIT-trained computer scientist, author, and video game entrepreneur Rizwan Virk to dive deep into one of the most mind-bending questions of our time: Are we living in a simulation? Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll find in this episode: Quantum Physics Meets Video Games The episode starts with Tom referencing a ground-breaking scientific discovery: In 2022, Nobel Prize winners confirmed that “the universe is not locally real.” In plain English—reality only “renders” when you observe it, just like in a video game (no, seriously!). Simulation Hypothesis 101 Rizwan shares how his background in gaming and his research into quantum physics led him to believe that a simulated universe actually makes more sense than a purely physical one. Ever heard of Schrodinger’s cat being both alive and dead until observed? That quantum weirdness is central to Rizwan’s argument for simulation theory. Memory, Probability, and Purpose The conversation gets wild as Rizwan and I debate ideas like the multiverse, free will, and whether the past is “real” or just rendered on demand. We explore why our universe seems so ‘perfectly tuned’ for life, and whether that supports the idea of some kind of higher intelligence or just infinite trial and error—simulation style. Ancient Wisdom, Modern Tech Rizwan draws fascinating connections between the world’s mystic traditions (think Hinduism, Buddhism, and even Christianity and Islam) and modern technology. Did you know Eastern religions talk about reality as a “dream” or “illusion”? Rizwan suggests they were describing something akin to a simulation all along but didn’t have the vocabulary we have today. NPCs vs. Players: Do We Have Free Will? Are we just characters running on autopilot, or are we players choosing our path? Tom and Rizwan tackle the age-old free will debate—contrasting rules-based programming (NPCs) with the possibility of having a “player” or soul controlling our conscious experience from outside the simulation. Life After Death, Near-Death Experiences & The Game Metaphor From near-death experiences to the idea of a “life review,” this episode explores what happens when the game of life is over. If we are in a simulation, is death game over, or just logging out until next time? What Does It All Mean for You? Whether you’re skeptical or convinced, the Simulation Hypothesis offers a new framework for thinking about personal challenges, meaning, and the nature of reality itself.