与摩根·弗里曼一起穿越虫洞（2010）

为了检验这个理论
To test this theory,
西拉斯和它的同事们想要把沿各个方向传播
Silas and his colleagues want to compare the energy levels
的宇宙射线的能级作个对比
of cosmic rays traveling in different directions.
把这些每一位乐队成员
Imagine if each of these band members
想象作宇宙射线粒子
is a cosmic ray particle.
观察他们的移♥动♥，我们能知道很多
We can learn a lot by observing their motion.
在一个不以网格结构为基础的宇宙中
In a universe without an underlying grid structure,
粒子向各方向都以同样的方式移♥动♥
particles move in the same way in all directions.
如果我们假定有一个网格结构的基础
Now let's see what happens
让我们看看会发生什么
if we assume that there is an underlying grid structure.
沿着网格的轴向移♥动♥很简单
Moving straight along a grid axis is simple,
像这些穿蓝色制♥服♥的乐队成员走过的路径
like the path of band members in the blue uniforms.
像那些穿白色制♥服♥的人一样走对角线
Moving diagonally, like those in white uniforms,
则需要走一系列的折线
requires a series of zig-zag steps.
这意味着他们需要消耗更多的能量
That means they would have to expend more energy
从点A走到点B
getting from point "a" to point "b"
与沿着坐标轴移♥动♥的宇宙射线相比
compared with cosmic rays moving along an axis.
换一种方式说，这些粒子
Another way of saying that is the particles
在网格中沿不同的方向移♥动♥
moving in different directions on the grid
其能量取决于角度
would have energies that depend on the angle.
西拉斯相信，如果我们测量
Silas believes if we measure
穿越空间的宇宙射线
cosmic rays zipping through space
并发现以某一角度传播
and find that those traveling at one angle
总是与以另一角度传播
have consistently different energies
需要不同的能量
from those traveling at another angle,
这样我就们会知道，我们的宇宙的确是有网格结构的
then we'll know there's a grid structure to our universe.
这样的系统特征，表明了我们的宇宙
It's a glitch in the system, an indication that our universe
也许以一种人工的、模拟的方式运行
may be operating in a simulated, artificial manner.
我认为这会让每一个人都会以不同的方式
I think it would cause everyone to think about the universe
看待宇宙，并寻找为什么会有网格结构
differently and to really search for an explanation for why
的解释，网格是自然存在的
there is this grid structure, whether it be a natural one
还是因为我们是被模拟出来的
or whether it be due to the fact that we are being simulated.
如果我们生活在计算机中的
If we're living in a virtual reality
虚拟现实里，肯定有大量的某种代码
inside a computer, some kind of mass code
在运行着构成我们宇宙的程序
must run all the programs that make up our universe.
你会认为这样的代码复杂得几乎不可能
You would think that code would have to be impossibly complex.
但是这位计算机科学家声称，他在一张便条上
But this computer scientist claims he can run the universe
就可以用代码运行宇宙了
from the lines of code on a single note card.
设想一个远比我们更先进的实体
Imagine that some entity, far more advanced than us,
可以写出我们的宇宙的方方面面
could invent computer programs for every aspect
的程序——原子的行为
of our universe -- The behavior of atoms,
引力定律，人类基因组
the laws of gravity, the human genome.
为了管理所有这些单独的程序
To manage all of those individual programs,
创造者需要一个主程序
the creator would need some master program,
一个宇宙操作系统
like a cosmic operating system.
这个软件又长又复杂，简直不可思议，对吧？
The software would be impossibly long and complex, right?
不一定哦
Maybe not.
一个德国计算机科学家
One German computer scientist
声称只需要这样几行代码
claims that these few lines of code
就可以用来运行宇宙了
are all someone would need to run our universe.
尤尔根·施米德胡贝
Juergen Schmidhuber
是瑞士卢加诺的瑞士人工智能
is the director of the Swiss artificial intelligence lab
实验室主管
in Lugano, Switzerland.
他相信我们的宇宙可以很好地由计算机生成
He believes our universe could well be computer-generated
而且他知道如何编写代码
and thinks he knows how to write its code.
我相信非常有可能
I believe it's quite possible
我们的宇宙是可计算的
that our universe is computable,
世间万物都是计算机模拟的一部分
meaning everything is part of a computer simulation.
你可能会说
Now, you may say,
“怎么可能用不到10行代码”
"how could you possibly program the whole universe
“就写出宇宙的程序呢？”
within fewer than 10 lines of code?"
这个嘛，世界上有许多
Well, there are many things
看似复杂的事情
about our world that seem very complex
其实很简单
but really aren't.
尤尔根相信
Juergen believes
一切都能归结到一个核心的原则
it all boils down to a single core principle --
数据压缩
Data compression.
举例来说，这是一个非常长的数字
For example, this is an incredibly long number,
比优乐美奶茶一年的销量连起来还长
long enough to wrap around the world
足以绕上地球一圈一圈又一圈
and come back again over and over forever.
它背后的概念非常简单
There's a very simple concept behind it,
就是圆的周长
which is the ratio
和它直径之间的比例
between the circumference of a circle
叫做圆周率
and its diameter, called pi.
计算这个无限长的序列
There is a very short code, a short program,
只需要一段非常短的代码，非常短的程序
that computes this entire, long sequence.
把圆周率这样巨大的数字
Compressing a giant number like pi
压缩成几句代码很简单
into a few characters of code is simple.
类似的数据压缩无处不在
Similar data compression could be taking place all around us.
天空中的云彩可以用简单的方程渲染
Clouds in the sky might be rendered by simple equations
生成复杂的形状和移♥动♥
that generate complex shapes and movements.
对其他的风景也同样适用
The same goes for our entire landscape.
计算机生成分形的风景程序
Computer-generated fractal landscape programs
把小三角形堆叠在一起
take small triangles, stack them on top of each other
同时进行各种旋转、变形
while also rotating and crushing each other on various sides,
形成大自然非常真实的版本
to make very realistic versions of nature.
在一个虚拟现实中
And in a virtual reality,
这座山，或者类似的山
this mountain or similar mountains
只用几行代码就可以生成
can be created with just a few lines of code.
一个简单的循环程序
A simple repeating program
就可以良好地建造一座虚拟的山
may work fine for building a virtual mountain,
但生物也行吗？
but what about living creatures?
人类的行为这麽复杂，也能压缩？
How about the complexity of human behavior?
我们所有的运动和决定
Can all of our movements and decisions
能够压缩到简单的代码中吗？
be compressed into simple bits of code?
根据尤尔根的想法
According to Juergen,
我们所说的学习，实际上就是数据压缩
what we call learning is really data compression.
任何想在一座不熟悉的城市
Anyone who's tried to find a new address
找到一个新的地址的人都知道这有多麻烦
in an unfamiliar city knows how complicated that can be.
然而一旦记住了这个路线，下次再走就简单了
But once the route has been learned, the next trip is easy.
人类是问题解决者
Humans are problem-solvers.
任何一个高效的问题解决者
And any efficient problem-solver
都会尝试发现给定问题的又简单又快
is going to try to find a solution to the given problem
的解法
that is both simple and fast.
如果尤尔根决定去附近的山顶
If Juergen decides to go to the top of a nearby mountain,
他会使用一系列的简单程序到达那里
he'll use a series of simple programs to get there.
每一个用来完成更大的任务的程序
Each program that goes into accomplishing the larger task
叫做子程序
is known as a subprogram.
我头脑中的第一个念头就是重用
The first idea that comes to mind is to reuse a subprogram
很久之前就学会了的子程序
that I learned a long time ago,
这个子程序包括了向我腿部的肌肉
which involves sending electrical signals
发送电♥信♥♥号♥♥
to my leg muscles
让它们以某种方式移♥动♥
and make them move in a certain way.
这叫走路
That's called walking.
几十亿个神经细胞和肌肉细胞
The coordinated action of billions of nerve
之间的协作行动，现在成了一个简单的子程序
and muscle cells is now a simple subprogram.
对于人和机械之间更复杂的相互作用
The same goes for a more complex interaction
也是一样的
between man and machine.
这包括了两个轮子的
It involves a little piece of machinery
机械装置，以及另一个子程序
with two wheels and, again, another subprogram
以某种方式调用了我的腿部肌肉
that invokes my leg muscles in a certain way.
这叫骑车
And that's called biking.
但是宇宙中有没有哪些方面
But are there some aspects of our universe
是不能压缩到简单的程序中的呢？
that can't be compressed into simple programs?
显然，我们不能压缩生命中的一切事情
Surely, we can't compress everything in our lives.
如果他丢了他的门票呢？
What if he loses his ticket?
如果有轨电车坏了呢？
What if the tram breaks down?
真正随机的事件也能被编程吗？
Can truly random events be programmed?
尤尔根相信
Juergen believes
我们觉得是随机的或者是意外的事件
that what we see as random or accidental events