Welcome

Welcome to "What Is Reality?", the site which investigates the very deepest and most profound questions about the nature of physical reality. A series of accessible articles incorporating the latest ideas from theoretical physics, mathematics, cosmology, and philosophy.

Each article may be read individually, though they do link together in sequence.

At the end of each article you can contribute your own comments, ideas, and theories. As Peter Wawoczny said in one of the comments, my aim is to "Combine the minds of the world". So add your thoughts!

I've also included examples of my artwork (below), each of which has a strong art/science element.

Andrew Thomas

Art

Click on the thumbnails for the full image plus detailed explanation.

Venice Wormhole Antibes Inside Out
Ibiza
Die
 

Recent Comments

Andrew Thomas wrote on the Quantum Reality page:
"Hi Hion, I would suggest that a tree falling in the woods (or a nucleus decaying on a distant planet) behaves in exactly the same way ..."

Hion wrote on the Quantum Reality page:
"Well in that analogy, I side with Fred Alan Wolf when he explains until there is an ear in the forest there is no sound, "sound" ..."

Gabriel wrote on the Intelligent Universe page:
"“Peculiar” you say? Please define “Peculiar”! You mean clever ideas built with little prejudice and deep physical insight? To me the whole universe appears ”Peculiar” ..."

Andrew Thomas wrote on the Intelligent Universe page:
"Hi Gabriel, Fred Hoyle has some rather peculiar ideas so I'm not too surprised that he was not taken too seriously."

Science

Quantum Mechanics: An Introduction

Introducing the peculiar world of the quantum, where a particle is a wave, and a wave is a particle. Considers the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. (Part 1 of "An Introduction to Quantum Reality")
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The Quantum Casino

At its most basic level, nature appears to be fundamentally random. Are we all players in a game of chance at the Quantum Casino?
(Part 2 of "An Introduction to Quantum Reality")
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Quantum Entanglement

Quantum states can become entangled in astonishing ways. Welcome to the strange world of "qubits", faster-than-light communication, and Einstein's first definition of reality.
(Part 3 of "An Introduction to Quantum Reality")
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Quantum Decoherence

At last it would appear a solution has been found to the riddle of the apparent collapse of the wavefunction. Includes an interactive simulation of decoherence in an ensemble of particles.
(Part 4 of "An Introduction to Quantum Reality")
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Quantum Reality

A review of our study of quantum mechanics, the Copenhagen Interpretation, and the first indications of a deeper "veiled" reality.
(Part 5 of "An Introduction to Quantum Reality")
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It's a Small World

Introducing the Standard Model of particle physics, and string theory. But are these theories truly fundamental, or do they rest on a infinite tower of turtles?
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The Cosmic Universe

How can we explain the origin of the universe? What happened before the "Big Bang"? Also considers quantum gravity and the "Astounding Implications of the Block Universe".
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The Anthropic Principle

Some of the fundamental physical constants in the universe appear to have been fine-tuned, otherwise life could not exist. Are "multiverse" solutions the answer to this mystery?
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The Arrow of Time

All fundamental physical processes appear to be time-reversible - so why don't we see broken eggs mending themselves? And why can't we remember the future?
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The Mathematical Universe

The universe appears to have an uncanny connection with the world of mathematics. Why is this? And do mathematical structures have a reality all of their own?
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Is the Universe a Computer?

Some physicists believe the universe behaves like a digital computer. But are there some things in the universe which cannot be computed? And is the universe made of "information"?
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Are We Living in the Matrix?

An examination of the evidence that our universe is the product of an advanced civilisation. Are we living in a computer simulation? Are we all "housemates" in the ultimate reality show?
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The Intelligent Universe

Does intelligence play a special role in the universe? Could the universe have created itself? And could Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator arm hold the key?
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