This Man, who worked for NASA, has devised several experiments to prove that our reality is a simulation. He says, ‘Consciousness is not a product of the simulation — it is fundamental to reality.’
Thomas Campbell is a physicist, author, and speaker. He’s best known for writing a book series called My Big T.O.E. — where “T.O.E.” stands for Theory of Everything. In this series, he tries to explain how everything in the universe works, from physics to consciousness.
His big idea is that reality might be like a computer simulation — like a super advanced video game. He believes the universe started with a “digital Big Bang” and that everything we experience is part of a virtual world. This idea connects to something called digital physics, which suggests that the universe runs on information, like a computer program.
Campbell also worked with other scientists to design experiments that could test whether we’re living in a simulation. In 2018, he even ran a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $236,000 to fund those experiments.
Thomas Campbell worked for NASA as part of the Ares I program, which was a project aimed at developing a rocket to replace the Space Shuttle and send astronauts to space, including missions to the Moon and Mars. His role focused on risk assessment and solving technical problems to ensure mission and crew safety.
Specifically, he worked on identifying and addressing vulnerabilities — basically figuring out what could go wrong and finding ways to prevent failures. His job was to improve the chances of success for both the rocket and the astronauts on board.
Before that, he had had a long career in defense technology. He had been working as a systems analyst for U.S. Army technical intelligence for 10 years, then spent 30 more years working on missile defense systems as a contractor for the Department of Defense.
So while he’s now known for his work on consciousness and simulation theory, his background is rooted in physics and high-stakes engineering — particularly making sure complex systems (like rockets) don’t fail under extreme conditions.
Thomas Campbell’s theory, “My Big TOE” (TOE stands for Theory of Everything), isn’t just a scientific idea — he presents it as a paradigm shift, meaning it completely changes how we understand reality.
He argues that consciousness, not matter, is the true foundation of existence. In other words, the physical world we experience isn’t what’s ultimately real — instead, it’s consciousness that creates reality, and everything else (matter, space, time) is secondary.
According to Campbell, our universe works like a virtual reality, designed to give each of us “individuated units of consciousness” — a structured, rule-based environment to learn, grow, and evolve.
Essentially, he suggests that life is less about physical survival and more about developing our consciousness, almost like players in a complex, immersive game where the goal is to become better, more evolved beings.
Campbell is working to prove that we live in a computer simulation — like a highly advanced video game. He designed five experiments to test whether our reality is being “rendered” only when observed, similar to how video games load graphics as you play. His goal is to find scientific evidence that our universe isn’t physical in the way we assume, but instead a virtual reality created by some larger system.
Campbell and his colleagues have proposed several experiments to test the simulation hypothesis. While the specific names of these experiments are not widely publicized, their designs are detailed in the 2017 paper “On Testing the Simulation Theory.” (Source)
These experiments primarily involve variations of quantum mechanics experiments, such as the double-slit experiment and delayed-choice quantum eraser setups, aiming to detect anomalies that could suggest our reality operates as a simulation
His experiments aim to test this idea by studying strange behaviors in quantum physics — particularly the double-slit experiment and quantum eraser setups. These experiments already show that particles behave differently when they’re observed. Campbell wants to take this further and see whether reality only forms when a conscious observer is present.
The goal of his experiments is to figure out if reality reacts to observation, which would support the idea that we live in a simulation-like reality. Each experiment is meant to untangle the relationship between consciousness and the physical world, suggesting that our minds might play a much bigger role in shaping reality than science currently accepts.
Campbell also founded a non-profit group, Center for the Unification of Science and Consciousness (CUSAC), to fund these experiments. He argues that consciousness isn’t part of the simulation — it’s actually the foundation of reality. In his view, we’re not bodies inside a universe — we’re consciousness experiencing a digital-like reality. (Source)
Even if his experiments succeed, though, Campbell acknowledges that they probably won’t give absolute proof that we live in a simulation. Instead, they might shift how we understand reality — possibly showing that the universe behaves more like a participatory experience than a fixed, independent world.
Campbell is working to prove that we live in a computer simulation — like a highly advanced video game. He designed several experiments to test whether our reality is being “rendered” only when observed, similar to how video games load graphics as you play. His goal is to find… pic.twitter.com/Ibz84piL7E
— Jesse Michels (@AlchemyAmerican) March 18, 2025
Here’s a quick breakdown of the experiments Campbell proposed to test whether we’re living in a simulation:
Campbell says scientists won’t believe we’re in a simulation unless experiments give evidence to support the idea. His goal isn’t to prove anything — science rarely “proves” things anymore — but to create strong evidence that reality behaves like a simulation.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the experiments Campbell proposed to test whether we’re living in a simulation:
Campbell says scientists won’t believe we’re in a simulation unless experiments give evidence to support the idea. His goal isn’t to prove anything — science rarely… pic.twitter.com/1Dckt6G6IZ
— Jesse Michels (@AlchemyAmerican) March 18, 2025
One big question he tackles is: What counts as “observation”?
Normally, physics experiments assume that if you measure a particle (like a photon), the measurement itself collapses the wave function — meaning the particle stops behaving like a wave and picks a definite position. Campbell wonders:
-Does the observer need to see the data for reality to collapse, or is just detecting the particle enough?
-Does the data need to be recorded for it to count as an observation?
-Does the observer have to be human — or could any conscious being cause the collapse?
He suggests running an experiment where:
-The particle is detected but no data is recorded — to see if reality “waits” for a conscious observer to check.
-If the wave function doesn’t collapse without a conscious observer, it suggests reality might only “render” when someone’s watching — like a video game saving power by only loading what you see.
The “Impossible” Atom Decay Experiment
This one’s wild. Campbell designed an experiment where he says he might predict how an atom will decay — specifically, which direction the radiation will go after the atom decays.
The “Impossible” Atom Decay Experiment
This one’s wild. Campbell designed an experiment where he says he might predict how an atom will decay — specifically, which direction the radiation will go after the atom decays.
Normally, this is completely random — physics says you… pic.twitter.com/MLDkykgHmG
— Jesse Michels (@AlchemyAmerican) March 18, 2025
Normally, this is completely random — physics says you can’t predict it. But Campbell believes that if reality works like a simulation, he can force the system into a corner where it has to “show its code.”
Here’s how:
He uses a beam splitter — a half-silvered mirror that reflects light half the time and lets light through the other half.
-If the photon hits a silver spot, it reflects.
-If it hits clear glass, it goes through.
Normally, which path the photon takes is random. But Campbell thinks he can predict the outcome ahead of time — something physics says should be impossible.
His reasoning? If reality is a simulation, outcomes are pulled from a probability distribution — like a random number generator in a computer. If that’s true, the system might reveal this randomness in a predictable way.
If he can predict the outcome, it would be strong evidence for the simulation hypothesis. Campbell talks about the “larger consciousness system” — his way of describing the overarching intelligence running the simulation.
He thinks this system:
-Makes decisions — it’s a conscious, thinking system.
-Prioritizes efficiency — it runs the simulation in the simplest, fastest way possible unless there’s a reason not to.
-Values consistency — because a glitchy, inconsistent reality wouldn’t work as a good “schoolhouse” for learning and growth (he sees this reality as a learning experience for consciousness).
He also explains that reality is generated in the mind of the observer — so if data never reaches a conscious player, it might not even “exist” in the system.
Campbell knows his experiments might not work the way he predicts — but he’s fine with that. If they fail, he still learns something valuable. If they succeed, they could revolutionize science, speeding up progress toward understanding consciousness and reality.
Either way, he sees it as a win — because science moves forward whether results confirm or challenge his ideas. He’s hoping to complete the experiments soon and share the results publicly.
According to Campbell, we — as individuated units of consciousness (IUOCs) — are like players controlling avatars (our human bodies) in a virtual world. This reality runs on a set of rules and initial conditions, much like a computer simulation, but it’s still evolving naturally.
Our physical reality only exists as data streams fed to our consciousness — meaning the world is rendered only when observed, similar to how video games load areas as you explore them.
Campbell believes that our purpose is to lower entropy — which, in an information system, means reducing disorder and increasing meaningful structure. For humans, this translates to improving the quality of our consciousness.
He explains that we evolve by getting rid of fear, ego, and belief, and by becoming more compassionate, empathetic, and love-centered beings. In other words, personal growth and moral development are part of the universe’s “program.”
Campbell claims his model resolves many scientific paradoxes, including those in quantum physics (like wave-particle duality and entanglement) and even paranormal phenomena (such as psychic experiences). He says this happens because consciousness, as an information system, can influence probabilities — meaning our intent can shape reality. He describes this as “focused intent modifying future probability.”
Beyond physics, Campbell envisions a new science of the subjective world — one that helps people understand why they suffer, how to improve relationships, and how to find peace and happiness. He emphasizes that his ideas aren’t about belief — they’re meant to be personally tested and experienced. He encourages people to stay open-minded but skeptical, only accepting what they can verify for themselves.
Campbell’s Out-of-body experiences
Thomas Campbell explained to Joe Rogan that while he was in graduate school working on complex computer code, he started having unusual experiences during meditation.
He described how, in his meditative state, he could “see” his lines of code in his mind — errors and all — even though finding those mistakes manually was an exhausting, time-consuming process.
To his surprise, what he saw in his mind was always accurate. This felt like a breakthrough, something beyond normal perception, but he didn’t tell his colleagues because, as a physicist, he knew talking about “impossible” things would damage his credibility.
This experience made him realize there might be more to reality than what we typically perceive. He began to wonder if his mind had tapped into a larger, hidden part of reality.
This curiosity led him to Robert (Bob) Monroe, an author and researcher known for his work on out-of-body experiences (OBEs).
Campbell’s Out-of-body experiences
Thomas Campbell explained to Joe Rogan that while he was in graduate school working on complex computer code, he started having unusual experiences during meditation.
He described how, in his meditative state, he could “see” his lines of code… pic.twitter.com/pf99VovgFZ
— Jesse Michels (@AlchemyAmerican) March 18, 2025
Initially, Campbell wasn’t sure if Monroe was legitimate or just telling stories. But after meeting him, Campbell saw Monroe as a logical, grounded person — more like an engineer than a mystical guru.
Monroe himself stumbled upon his experiences accidentally, first feeling like he was floating outside his body while napping. It scared him, and he even sought a psychiatrist to make sure he wasn’t going crazy. When doctors assured him he was mentally sound, Monroe decided to explore the experiences rather than fear them.
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Monroe set up a lab to study consciousness, hoping scientists would help him figure out what was happening. He built isolated rooms, including a Faraday cage (which blocks electromagnetic signals), to ensure nothing interfered with the experiments. When Monroe asked if anyone wanted to work with him, Campbell immediately volunteered.
Monroe developed a method to intentionally recreate his out-of-body state. He described it as reaching a “pulsation state” — around four beats per second — where his body felt like it was vibrating. Once in that state, he used the metaphor of “rolling out” of his body to enter an out-of-body experience.
Campbell explained that this technique was just a mental tool to shift the mind into the right state, not a literal process. The key wasn’t the action of rolling out but getting the mind to a place where the body is asleep, yet the mind stays fully awake.
Bob Monroe circa 1979.
Campbell emphasized that this state feels like being “asleep but wide awake” — your body is totally relaxed, but your awareness is sharp and separate from your physical self. He said Monroe coined the term “out of body” to describe this state, though it was previously known as astral projection.
According to Campbell, the physical techniques people use — like imagining climbing a rope or rolling out — are just tricks to guide the mind. The real change happens internally, not because of the physical visualization.
For Campbell, these experiences weren’t just fascinating — they reshaped his understanding of reality itself. He began to believe that consciousness is more fundamental than the physical world, and that the reality we experience might be more like a virtual simulation than a concrete, physical place.
We lived many lives before this one
Campbell strongly believes he came into this life with a specific purpose — to share the ideas and knowledge he’s talking about.
He says he’s lived multiple lives before this one, and those past lives were part of preparing him for this current “assignment.” However, he avoids religious terms like reincarnation and instead calls each life an “experience packet” — a way to gather and grow through different experiences.
He says this idea of multiple lives isn’t just something that sounds nice or matches what spiritual figures like Buddha believed. He insists it’s a logical conclusion that fits into the scientific model of reality he’s developed.
We lived many lives before this one
Campbell strongly believes he came into this life with a specific purpose — to share the ideas and knowledge he’s talking about.
He says he’s lived multiple lives before this one, and those past lives were part of preparing him for this… pic.twitter.com/evqUfjgPvm
— Jesse Michels (@AlchemyAmerican) March 18, 2025
In his view, the universe — and our individual consciousness — exists for a purpose. We’re not here randomly. Each of us is an “individuated unit of consciousness”, meaning a unique piece of a larger system of consciousness. He believes this system exists to evolve — to grow, improve, and become more complex and aware.
For that evolution to happen, we need to make choices. Our decisions shape not only our personal growth but also the growth of the larger system. If we make good, meaningful choices, both we and the system evolve.
If we make harmful or selfish choices, we devolve — basically, we move backward in our development. According to Campbell, this isn’t just a possibility — it’s the only logical way the universe can work if it’s built around consciousness and growth.
