The Universe - Solved!

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 270 pages
• Published by: AT Press
• Edition: 1st Edition January 2, 2008
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1424336260
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1424336265
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Weighs: 1.4 pounds

Product Review
We have recently been inundated by a spate of books on the "science-religion" controversy. They all confuse science with reductionist materialism and religion with fundamentalism. Elvidge's book is one of the notable exceptions. Unfortunately, none of the exceptions are receiving the attention of the rich publishers or the mainstream media. This is all in keeping with the modern cultural trend towards oversimplification of every issue. My hope is that this book will reverse the trend. --Ranan Banerji, Ph.D. Physics, author of "Society, Scientists and the Spirit"

Product Description
What if reality isn't really what you think it is?
What if our world was just a big video game?

It's actually not as far-fetched as it seems, says Jim Elvidge. Within thirty years, we will be able to create virtual environments indistinguishable from our reality. Within a few more decades, even physical realities will be manufactured. And we are marching toward an inevitable merge with machines. What's more, it is actually impossible to tell whether or not we have already reached that point.

An expert in complex computational systems, with over twenty years of research in cosmology, quantum mechanics, philosophy, anomalies, and futurism, Jim Elvidge presents a theory of reality so perfect, so powerful, that it explains all known scientific and cultural anomalies. Why is the universe so perfectly designed to support life and matter? Why does life feel like it is accelerating? Why do people see UFOs? Is there life after death?

The evidence is actually all around us, within us, and present in every decision we make. This book may completely change the way you look at your world, your life, your friends and family, and the PC on your desk.

Reader Reviews
"Many" of us have pondered by now whether we might be living in a virtual reality. But few people take this option seriously. Jim Elvidge does, and so do I. His book is the first ever, I think, devoted solely to this topic--one that has preoccupied me for most of my life. I read it in one sitting. It's a good start. His arguments are roughly as follows. 1)Virtual reality simulations are technically feasible. 2) Virtual reality fits well with physical observations of our reality (e.g. the discontinuous nature of space and time) 3) Virtual reality would explain some knotty problems associated with our reality (the paradoxes of quantum mechanics, fine tuning, and the big bang among others) 4) V. R. also explains a variety of "anomalies" in our lives . These include things paranormal, out of body and near death experiences, UFO's , altered mind states, and unbelievable coincidences. Elvidge devotes a lot of space to this area and has come up with some good examples but these rarely experienced and poorly documented events, which I have never encountered personally, do not work for me. The beauty and the problem with virtual reality is that it explains almost anything - from the cosmic to the trivial -quantum entanglement at a distance, Elvis sightings, cornflakes that look like Jesus, Jesus. Invoking V.R. to solve the universe is akin to a novelist extracting his hero from an impossible pickle by having him wake from a dream. We really need stronger evidence. Our unlikely place in civilization's time line is one item that Elvidge gives some attention. But what else? A student probably spoke for the masses when she observed that if she is living in a virtual reality "the graphics are great, but the plot sucks." In comparison to what is possible I suspect that even the graphics are only so so . But what about the plot? Why do so many bad things happen to good people and vice versa? Who would do this to us and why? Elvidge just barely touches on this in his last chapter. And the rest of the evidence? It's out there, but not in this book.