Are We Living in the Matrix? With Prof David Tong
Schedule
Tue, 26 May, 2026 at 07:30 pm
UTC+01:00Location
The Blue Moon | Cambridge, EN
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No. No doubt for many reasons. But one of them is that it seems to be impossible to simulate the known laws of physics on a computer. This raises a far more interesting question than the daft one we began with: is it possible, even in principle, to write down the laws of physics in a form that could be simulated? Surprisingly, no one knows how to do this. In fact, a powerful mathematical obstruction, the Nielsen–Ninomiya theorem, suggests that, in a precise sense, it cannot be done. Prof Tong will attempt to explain this result, the underlying reasons for it, and some recent work that tries to get around it.Prof David Tong is a theoretical physicist at the University of Cambridge, where he works on quantum field theory, particle physics, and condensed matter systems. He is known for his clear and engaging teaching, as well as his widely used lecture notes that have introduced many students to modern theoretical physics. His research explores the deep mathematical structures underlying the laws of nature, often focusing on how these laws behave in extreme or unexpected regimes.
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Where is it happening?
The Blue Moon, 2 Norfolk Street, Cambridge, CB1 2LF, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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