What's Outside The Simulation w/ Donald Hoffman

Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory

Impact Theory

News Commentary, News, Business

4.7 • 5.2K Ratings

🗓️ 14 May 2026

⏱️ 59 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Welcome to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. In today’s mind-bending episode, Tom sits down with cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman, who challenges everything you think you know about reality, consciousness, and the very fabric of our universe. What if the world around us isn’t the fundamental base of existence, but rather, nothing more than a meticulously rendered simulation—an efficient computational interface, like a high-tech headset, designed to help us survive, not reveal the truth?Together, Tom and Donald dive deep into groundbreaking theories emerging from the frontlines of quantum physics and mathematics, including “positive geometries” and the idea that spacetime is not fundamental. They break down complex scientific concepts—like Markov chains and the hard problem of consciousness—into compelling metaphors drawn from video games, virtual reality, and computation.Throughout the conversation, they grapple with the illusion of free will, the meaning of “base reality,” and whether consciousness is ultimately all there is—hinting at a future where understanding the software outside the headset could make today’s technology look like child’s play. Whether you’re a skeptic, a seeker, or just driven by unending curiosity, you’re in for an episode that could forever shift your perception of what it means to be real. What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business: join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER: https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show SCALING a business: see if you qualify here.: https://tombilyeu.com/call Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: sign up here.: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast, Tom Bilyeu’s Mindset Playbook —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu 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	We have the noise.
0:03.0	Bloomberg follows the money,
0:04.8	whether it's the funds fueling AI
0:06.4	or crypto's trillion dollar swings.
0:08.9	There's a money side to every story.
0:11.4	Get the money side of the story.
0:13.5	Subscribe now at Bloomberg.com.
0:17.9	We have not yet modeled the observer
0:20.4	that's collecting the data in science.
0:22.6	So under Newtonian physics, you ignore the observer.
0:26.6	In Einstein, you talk about the observer because the,
0:29.6	but the observer is reduced to clocks and measurement pointers.
0:33.6	In quantum theory, now the observer becomes front and center
0:36.6	because there are two different regimes in quantum theory.
0:39.3	There's a unitary evolution when no one's looking,
0:42.3	when you don't observe,
0:43.3	and then there's what they call the collapse of the way function when you observe.
0:47.3	So all of a sudden, in quantum mechanics,
0:49.3	the observer comes front and center,
0:51.3	but quantum theory has no universally accepted model of the observer.
0:55.4	And we haven't had it for now a century. Donald Hoffman, welcome back. Thank you, Tom. Great
1:02.9	to be back. It's great to have you back. So I just recently did a video about the fact that
	...

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