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Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory

Unlocking Reality: Donald Hoffman on Consciousness, Simulations, and the Limits of Space-Time | Impact Theory

Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory

Impact Theory

Business, News Commentary, News

4.7 • 5.2K Ratings

🗓️ 18 May 2026

⏱️ 52 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Most people think that space-time and the physical universe are the ultimate reality—something solid and unchangeable, governed by the laws of physics. But what if that's just the tip of the iceberg? What if our everyday experience is nothing more than a kind of VR headset, a useful interface that hides the deeper layers of reality from us? I find this idea not only fascinating, but increasingly convincing, especially as breakthroughs in both physics and computational theory keep bending the boundaries of what's possible. To challenge our assumptions and help us explore what's really behind the headset, I bring you today's guest—a cognitive scientist who argues that space-time is not fundamental, and that consciousness might be the true base reality. He believes that if we figure out the code underlying the simulation, we could unlock possibilities that make nuclear weapons look like firecrackers—and that the future of science is about to blow our collective minds. With that in mind, I bring you Donald Hoffman. Ketone IQ: Visit https://ketone.com/IMPACT for 30% OFF your subscription orderQuince: Free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/impactpodMonetary Metals: Future-proof your wealth at https://monetarymetals.com/impactTruemed: Check your eligibility and start saving at https://truemed.com/impactAT&T Business: Switch to AT&T Business at business.att.comIncogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code IMPACT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/impactShopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/impactNetsuite: Right now, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at https://NetSuite.com/TheoryQuo: Try for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months at https://quo.com/impact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:44.0

Welcome back to part two of this incredible conversation. Without further ado, here we go.

0:50.1

Do you think that Don and the headset, the Tom and the headset have free will?

0:54.2

I would say that the consciousness, the one consciousness, is infinitely free.

0:59.8

And the avatars then are, these are avatars, and they're free in the sense that the one consciousness is free to act through the avatars as it wishes.

1:11.9

Okay, so because we are the one consciousness, we do have free will.

1:18.7

Again, the notion of free will is a little complicated, but if you wanted to say,

1:23.1

Don, do you think in free will or no free will, I would have to go with the free will side of

1:26.5

things in this context. As a neuroscientist no free will, I would have to go with the free will side of things in this context.

1:28.3

As a neuroscientist, of course, I know about the neuroscience of, you know, activity in the brain

1:36.3

that predicts seconds ahead what you're going to do and so forth.

1:40.3

That's all very well known.

...

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