We all live in a yellow two-dimensional hologram...

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**Breotan**

So, are we then space aliens with VR headsets on? Better-Than-Life technology ala Red Dwarf, perhaps? Or can physicists simply not brain because dey haz teh dumb?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/29/space-hologram-experiment-two-dimensions_n_5726262.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

David Freeman wrote:Freaky Physics Experiment May Prove Our Universe Is A Two-Dimensional Hologram

Everyone knows the universe exists in three dimensions, right? Maybe not. For some time now serious physicists have been pondering the seemingly absurd possibility that three-dimensional space is merely an illusion--and that we actually live in a two-dimensional "hologram."

And now scientists at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Illinois have launched a mind-blowing experiment to show once and for all what sort of universe we live in.

"We want to find out whether space-time is a quantum system just like matter is," Dr. Craig Hogan, director of Fermilab's Center for Particle Astrophysics, said in a written statement. "If we see something, it will completely change ideas about space we've used for thousands of years."

According to quantum theory's uncertainty principle, it's impossible to know both the precise location and the exact velocity of a subatomic particle. If the same uncertainty principle applies to space as well as to matter, space too should have built-in fluctuations--a.k.a. "quantum jitter" or "holographic noise," according to the statement.

The 21 scientists involved in the experiment will look for the jitter with the help of an exquisitely sensitive device known as a Holometer. It produces laser beams 200,000 times brighter than a laser pointer and, with the help of an optical technique known as interferometry, measures jitter in the beams as small as a few billionths of a billionth of a meter.

A close-up of the Holometer at Fermilab.

The holometer includes two interferometers in 6-inch steel tubes about 40 meters long. Optical systems (not shown here) in each one “recycle” laser light to create a steady, intense laser wave. The outputs of the two photodiodes are correlated to measure holographic jitter.

"If we find a noise we can't get rid of, we might be detecting something fundamental about nature--a noise that is intrinsic to space-time," Dr. Aaron Chou, the experiment's lead scientist and project manager for the Holometer, said in the statement. "It's an exciting moment for physics. A positive result will open a whole new avenue of questioning about how space works."

The prospect of making a discovery that would not only defy common sense but also overturn centuries of scientific thinking has Chou thinking in philosophical, almost mystical terms.

"I have always believed that if indeed there is a creator, then the mechanism by which the world was created is not necessarily unknowable, and if we delve deeply enough we might reach some very interesting and inescapable conclusions," Chou told The Huffington Post in an email. "This topic brings up all sorts of interesting philosophical and theological questions which are perhaps better discussed over a beer or a nice cup of tea. In the meantime, we scientists have a job to do."

**LordofHats**

I told you guys 3D was a gimmick!

**sirlynchmob**

It sounds like the flat earthers are up to their antics again.

**Grey Templar**

Pretty sure if we were all an illusion, we wouldn't have the wherewithal to attempt to find out and even if we tried the system would be advanced enough to avoid detection.

**Ouze**

I read this the other day and found it to be vaguely discomfitting.

**Darkjim**

I find it to be fascinating. I don't see any reason we wouldn't be able to detect the illusion, could be an intelligence test. Wouldn't necessarily mean we are an illusion, just what our intellects perceive. The creator causes / allows trillions of intelligences to appear, gives them an apparent 4D universe to interact with, and watches what they do. If they figure out the illusion, maybe something happens, maybe nothing.

Regardless, investigating the possibility seems at least as worthwhile a pursuit as most of the stuff humanity gets up to.

**Slarg232**

Darkjim wrote:
I find it to be fascinating. I don't see any reason we wouldn't be able to detect the illusion, could be an intelligence test. Wouldn't necessarily mean we are an illusion, just what our intellects perceive. The creator causes / allows trillions of intelligences to appear, gives them an apparent 4D universe to interact with, and watches what they do. If they figure out the illusion, maybe something happens, maybe nothing.

Regardless, investigating the possibility seems at least as worthwhile a pursuit as most of the stuff humanity gets up to.

Maybe 2012 was when this idea entered their heads and they finally got funding for it.

END OF THE WORLD IS NIGH!

**Iron_Captain**

This goes so waaaaaay over my head.
I'm just going to close my eyes and pretend the whole world is an illusion. The whole universe only exists in my dream.

I do have to say though it would be hilarious if they'd find something.

**SlaveToDorkness**

It amazes me the crap scientists study.
I can almost hear the giggles behind the explanation. I swear they are taking bets on what study people finally call BS on.

**AlmightyWalrus**

SlaveToDorkness wrote:
It amazes me the crap scientists study.
I can almost hear the giggles behind the explanation. I swear they are taking bets on what study people finally call BS on.

Yeah, what has physics ever gotten us, amirite?

**Grey Templar**

AlmightyWalrus wrote:
SlaveToDorkness wrote:
It amazes me the crap scientists study.
I can almost hear the giggles behind the explanation. I swear they are taking bets on what study people finally call BS on.

Yeah, what has physics ever gotten us, amirite?

Well, there is studying worthwhile stuff, and then there is studying stuff that is interesting but is never going to yield useful material no matter what the outcome is.

**Ahtman**

Grey Templar wrote:
Well, there is studying worthwhile stuff, and then there is studying stuff that is interesting but is never going to yield useful material no matter what the outcome is.

The number of things we have gotten from studying subjects without knowing a specific commercial outcome is fairly immense, like plastic. Just knowing more about the world, and how and why it works, often opens up lots of things we never could have expected.

**SlaveToDorkness**

But discovering whether we exist upon a disc supported by four elephants floating through the galaxy on the back of an enormous turtle or not is proooobably not going to result in those things.

**the shrouded lord**

flatland is coming for you.

**Ouze**

SlaveToDorkness wrote:
But discovering whether we exist upon a disc supported by four elephants floating through the galaxy on the back of an enormous turtle or not is proooobably not going to result in those things.

Sure, if that wasn't a completely nonsensical description that in no way actually represents what the actual research is about, sure. In that completely made up scenario, that only exists in your head, you're totally right.

**SlaveToDorkness**

Terry Pratchett would like a word. Lol

**hotsauceman1**

What if we are just an illusion of a planet that once existed. We where created for one little girl, who is dying. So they stored made us to keep her comfortable while she sleeps to see if they could find a cure

**Smacks**

I think that the hologram (as in a simulation) idea might be a 'journalistic twist' to sensationalize the study. When I look at some of the more mind-bending problems of science (such as wave/particle duality), I'm often reminded of Plato's Cave Parable. I think it's difficult to deny that our perspective on the universe might be highly distorted. And at a more fundamental level this skew on perspective makes it much harder for us to understand the universe as it actually is.

I think this research might actually be really important, and might give weight to some ideas that I had previously thought were purely philosophical.

**Sigvatr**

If this bears true, what actual implications would this have?

**Smacks**

It could impact lots of things, general relativity, our understanding of gravity, and provide clues about the origin of the universe. Maybe it would even provide the missing 'bit' that would help unify physics.

**BrotherGecko**

I figured somebody would of just used googled by now but it hasn't happened yet so here it is.

http://physics.about.com/od/physicsetoh/g/holoprinciple.htm

Yes there is media sensationalism (remember the "God Particle" shenanigans? ). No they are not looking for the Matrix.

**Grey Templar**

Sigvatr wrote:
If this bears true, what actual implications would this have?

Honestly, none at all.

Hence why its a silly experiment. Life will go on as it has regardless of the results.

**BrotherGecko**

Grey Templar wrote:
Sigvatr wrote:
If this bears true, what actual implications would this have?

Honestly, none at all.

Hence why its a silly experiment. Life will go on as it has regardless of the results.

A physicist such as yourself must be able to better elaborate on your reasoning. What experiments are you working on that will have immediate impacts on our way of life?

**A Town Called Malus**

Grey Templar wrote:
Sigvatr wrote:
If this bears true, what actual implications would this have?

Honestly, none at all.

Hence why its a silly experiment. Life will go on as it has regardless of the results.

So the only worthwhile experiments are ones which lead to an immediate change in how people live their lives?

How did finding the Higgs Boson change how life is going on? It didn't, unless you are a physicist, yet it was a very important discovery which provided another piece of the puzzle that is the universe. Now we understand more about how particles have mass and can move onto asking other questions.

**carlos13th**

Grey Templar wrote:
Sigvatr wrote:
If this bears true, what actual implications would this have?

Honestly, none at all.

Hence why its a silly experiment. Life will go on as it has regardless of the results.

Same with most experiments, doesn't mean they have no implications or purpose though.

**LordofHats**

I hear that learning the earth revolves around the sun was like, so shocking, that nothing was ever the same. Ever.

Except for the part where it really didn't matter for most people until 1969. Cause you know. Math and physics and stuff and stuff.

**RatBot**

Might seem pointless now, but this could lead to something much more meaningful in time. Very interesting.

**AlmightyWalrus**

LordofHats wrote:
I hear that learning the earth revolves around the sun was like, so shocking, that nothing was ever the same. Ever.

Except for the part where it really didn't matter for most people until 1969. Cause you know. Math and physics and stuff and stuff.

Yeah, what did CALENDARS ever do for humanity?

Are you for real? Please tell me my sarcasm-o-tron is broken.

**A Town Called Malus**

AlmightyWalrus wrote:
LordofHats wrote:
I hear that learning the earth revolves around the sun was like, so shocking, that nothing was ever the same. Ever.

Except for the part where it really didn't matter for most people until 1969. Cause you know. Math and physics and stuff and stuff.

Yeah, what did CALENDARS ever do for humanity?

Are you for real? Please tell me my sarcasm-o-tron is broken.

Calenders existed before the sun-centric model of the solar system.

**Breotan**

A Town Called Malus wrote:
AlmightyWalrus wrote:
LordofHats wrote:
I hear that learning the earth revolves around the sun was like, so shocking, that nothing was ever the same. Ever.

Except for the part where it really didn't matter for most people until 1969. Cause you know. Math and physics and stuff and stuff.

Yeah, what did CALENDARS ever do for humanity?

Are you for real? Please tell me my sarcasm-o-tron is broken.

Calenders existed before the sun-centric model of the solar system.

Yes, but those calendars were flat.