Computing spacetime
arXiv:2205.05705 · doi:10.1142/S021827182242010X
Abstract
Inspired by the universality of computation, we advocate for a principle of spacetime complexity, where gravity arises as a consequence of spacetime optimizing the computational cost of its own quantum dynamics. This principle is explicitly realized in the context of the Anti-de Sitter/Conformal Field Theory correspondence, where complexity is naturally understood in terms of state preparation via Euclidean path integrals, and Einstein's equations emerge from the laws of quantum complexity. We visualize spacetime complexity using Lorentzian threads which, conceptually, represent the operations needed to prepare a quantum state in a tensor network discretizing spacetime. Thus, spacetime itself evolves via optimized computation.
arXiv comment9 pages, 2 figures, Received honorable mention for the 2022 Essay Competition of the Gravity Research Foundation; References added, to appear in the October 2022 Special Issue of the International Journal of Modern Physics D
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