Simulated Universe Hypothesis: Are We Living in a Simulation?

The simulation hypothesis suggests our entire reality could be an advanced computer program.
Philosopher Nick Bostrom popularized the idea in 2003 with his “simulation argument.”
If future civilizations gain immense computing power, they could simulate whole universes.
Advanced beings might run countless simulations, making it statistically likely we’re inside one.
Some scientists look for “glitches” in physics—tiny anomalies—that could hint at a simulation.
The idea raises questions about free will, consciousness, and the nature of existence.
Even if true, the simulation would feel just as real to us as “base reality.”
Some physicists compare the universe’s fundamental laws to lines of code.
The hypothesis blurs the line between science, philosophy, and science fiction.
Whether real or not, it challenges us to rethink what reality truly means.