Podcast Summary: "Deeper Into My Big TOE" with Tom Campbell

New Thinking Allowed Audio Podcast
Host: Jeffrey Mishlove
Guest: Tom Campbell, Physicist, Consciousness Researcher, Author of My Big TOE (Theory of Everything)
Date: November 5, 2025

Overview

This episode dives deep into Tom Campbell’s “My Big TOE,” a comprehensive theory positing that reality is fundamentally informational and computed by consciousness itself. Campbell and host Jeffrey Mishlove explore core aspects of this model, touching on topics such as the nature of consciousness, simulation theory, paranormal phenomena, the origins and evolution of “God” or the “larger consciousness system,” and the ethical imperative toward love and cooperation. The conversation intertwines scientific, philosophical, and spiritual threads, seeking to reconcile subjective and objective phenomena under a single explanatory model.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Simulation Hypothesis and Consciousness as Fundamental

• Reality as Information-based:
  • Campbell argues that physics now regards reality as "information-based," leading to the possibility that our physical universe is a “simulated” or “virtual reality” (03:07).
  • “Our reality is a computed reality…reality is information based. Well, if it’s information based, that means it can be computed.” (A, 03:07)
• Consciousness as the Computer:
  • The "simulation" is computed by consciousness itself, which Campbell defines as "awareness with a choice" (03:50).
• Reason for the Simulation:
  • The purpose is evolutionary: consciousness evolves by lowering entropy (becoming more ordered) through love, cooperation, and caring as opposed to fear and self-centeredness (04:35).

Memorable Quote:

• "We live in a virtual reality. This physical world is computed. We are here, we are individuated units of consciousness, and we are playing human avatars." — Tom Campbell (07:45)

2. Subconscious, Unconscious, and the Role of Intuition

• Subconscious Processes:
  • Not just physiological, but also includes the psychic “things we don’t want to deal with.” For evolved consciousness, the subconscious has fewer hidden fears/drives (10:17–15:36).
• Inclusive Model:
  • Campbell includes intellect, subconscious, and intuition in his model of consciousness (15:55).
  • Intuitive knowledge draws on information outside the intellect, often fueling artistic and creative “aha!” moments (17:00).
• Developing Intuition:
  • Practice can strengthen intuition, which can become as reliable as logic (19:30).

Memorable Quote:

• "Our mind has…two ways of processing. One is intellectual and the other is intuitive. And we use both all the time." — Tom Campbell (17:28)

3. Emotions, Memory, and the Evolving Nature of 'God'

• Consciousness and Emotion:
  • Emotions and memory belong to consciousness, not the brain, which is described as a “virtual brain” (21:48).
• The Evolution of God (Larger Consciousness System):
  • Campbell draws a distinction between the Old Testament’s wrathful God and the New Testament’s loving God, explaining these as stages in the evolution of the consciousness system itself—learning through interaction with individuated units (22:39–26:06).
  • “We were its teacher in the sense that we forced it to come to those conclusions, that love is lower entropy… than fear.” (A, 25:06)

4. Non-Physical Entities, Paranormal Experiences, and the Role of Story

• Religious and Paranormal Entities:
  • Campbell asserts that angels, demons, and other “nonphysical” entities arise from the need to make sense of unexplained experiences, often generated through pattern-matching and storytelling (26:45–32:26).
• Out-of-Body and Paranormal Experiences:
  • Such experiences are real but are constructed from data streams; the "player" interprets information according to their own capacities and cultural patterns (32:26–41:56).
• Model Flexibility:
  • The “larger consciousness system” can appear via whatever form is most useful for growth—sometimes as an “angel,” sometimes as a straightforward message (51:07).

Memorable Quotes:

• "People tend to make things up. Now we can’t say that those people were stupid … they just didn’t have any other information to go on." — Tom Campbell (28:54)
• "Going out of body and exploring the larger consciousness system is really a single player game with the larger consciousness system." — Tom Campbell (30:22)

5. The Nature of Reality and the Question of Free Will

• Materialism vs. Non-Materialism:
  • Campbell draws a line between determinism/materialism (where time, free will, and consciousness are illusions) and his own model, which makes them logically necessary and sees matter as secondary (46:11–48:19).

Memorable Quote:

• “Physicalism or materialism and determinism are illusions. They don’t exist." — Tom Campbell (46:34)

6. The Self, Soul, and Spiritual Concepts

• Self as Consciousness:
  • “The self is consciousness ... spirit ... soul ... That’s the real thing” (48:22).
• Angels/Demons:
  • While most such experiences are subjective stories, sometimes the larger consciousness system may interface via those stories for learning/growth (49:12–53:47).

7. Models, Metaphors, and The Structure of Experience

• Simulation as Metaphor:
  • Campbell admits his “computer-generated universe” is a metaphor/model—his best story given available evidence, subject to future evolution as understanding grows (53:47–57:14).
• Hierarchy:
  • Larger Consciousness System => Individual Unit of Consciousness => Free Will Awareness Unit (who we are in this lifetime, purposely forgetting “past lives” to promote authentic growth) (57:24–61:26).

Memorable Quote:

• "All of those things are metaphors … This is just a model. It’s a model of reality.” — Tom Campbell (53:47)

8. Evolution: Open-Ended and Without a Final Destination

• No End of Time/God Not Perfect:
  • No final “Omega Point” or perfected state; both the universe and the Larger Consciousness System are ongoing evolutionary processes—always learning, never “finished” (62:05–66:34).
• Purpose of Life:
  • It’s about lowering entropy (becoming love), not returning to a divine oneness and ending the journey (66:34).

9. Ethics and the Imperative to Love

• Love as Evolution:
  • Ethical imperative is clear: evolve by becoming more loving, not only to “good guys” but to everyone, including those who are disruptive or “evil” (79:44–84:37).
  • Anger, even in the face of injustice, is not productive; positive action without anger/fear is the goal (84:46).

Memorable Quotes:

• "You have to accept that. To say, oh, that person’s evil. We need to get rid of them. Well, that’s not really helpful. That’s now just overrunning that other person’s free will." — Tom Campbell (80:14)
• "No, I’m endorsing no anger at all." — Tom Campbell (84:46)

10. Paranormal Phenomena and Societal Readiness

• Psi Uncertainty Principle:
  • There’s a kind of “company policy” (not a physical law) that ensures psi/paranormal phenomena cannot be forcefully demonstrated to the mainstream before society is ready—prevents abuse and dysfunction (89:28–93:56).
• Scientific Validation:
  • Experiments are encouraged so long as they spur growth, but no "spectacular" demonstrations will break society’s paradigm in a disruptive way (96:46).

11. Theory Implications and Real-world Effect

• Paranormal as Necessary Consequence:
  • Acceptance of Campbell’s model necessitates accepting the existence of paranormal phenomena as natural attributes of consciousness (101:05).

Case Study Example:

• The “retroactive prayer” experiment, in which intent directed at hospital records appeared to affect outcomes retroactively, is explained as intention modifying probability in “uncertain” information (101:16–108:09).
  • "Information can be modified if you make a measurement much later when there’s a lot of uncertainty." — Tom Campbell (106:30)

12. Choice, Intention and the Mechanics of Probability

• How Intention Works:
  • Intention (not just conscious choice or action) has a direct effect on the probabilities governing our lives, especially where uncertainty exists (111:48–118:47).
• Morality:
  • Ethical value is not in the action itself, but the intention behind the action (116:53).

Illustrative Quote:

• “Morality doesn’t flow with action … it flows with the intent behind the action.” — Tom Campbell (116:53)

13. Materialism, Dualism, and Logical Consistency

• Materialists and Dualists:
  • Campbell argues most scientists are logically inconsistent, combining materialist views with beliefs in inner/subjective experience; his model seeks logical consistency (123:22–127:34).
• Reality as Potential:
  • Until measurement, reality exists only as potential; intention can modify possibilities until actualized (129:07–136:42).

14. Virtual Reality as a Rational Explanatory Framework

• Flexibility vs. Falsifiability:
  • Campbell acknowledges that while the virtual reality model is flexible and explanatory, he’s spent decades seeking exceptions/counterexamples and finds it robust (146:08–151:49).
• Main Takeaway: Paradigm Shift to Love
  • Beyond scientific or paranormal explanations, the model’s most important consequence is a shift from ethics of “control, power, force” (materialism) to “cooperation, caring, sharing, and compassion” (love path).

Final Quote:

• "The big thing is changing who you are. To become love, to become caring, to be cooperative and not be judgmental, not have a lot of ego, not have fear, not have beliefs..."
  — Tom Campbell (end, 158:53)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Our reality is a computed reality. Physicists pretty much agree that reality is information based. … The answer to those questions is consciousness is computing it.” — Tom Campbell (03:07)
• “It’s not just the good guys [to love]. … It doesn’t mean that you want to destroy them or that you hate them or anything like that. You just see them as kind of living out who they are with whatever the circumstances…” — Tom Campbell (80:14)
• “Morality doesn’t flow with action, … but with the intent behind the action.” — Tom Campbell (116:53)
• “If you [become love] your life gets so much better, you find happiness, you find peace, and you feel like you’re living a substantial, meaningful life.” — Tom Campbell (94:09)
• “The main thing is changing who you are. To become love, to become caring, to be cooperative and not be judgmental, not have a lot of ego, not have fear, not have beliefs, be skeptical of everything. … That’s the real reason that this is significant and important.” — Tom Campbell (158:53)

Important Timestamps/Segments

• 03:07–09:13: Campbell outlines the core of his "virtual reality/computed reality" theory.
• 10:17–15:36: Consciousness, subconscious processes, and self-evolution.
• 17:00–19:30: Developing and trusting intuition.
• 22:39–26:06: The evolution of God/the larger consciousness system.
• 26:45–41:56: Origin and function of nonphysical entities, data streams, and pattern-matching.
• 46:11–48:19: The distinction between materialist and consciousness-first philosophies.
• 62:05–66:34: No final end; perpetual evolution.
• 79:44–84:46: Loving your enemies, the importance of positive intention, and releasing anger.
• 89:28–93:56: Societal “readiness” and the psi uncertainty principle.
• 101:16–108:09: Intention modifying probability—examples and the limits of physical data.
• 116:53–118:47: Ethics: intention over action.
• 146:08–151:49: Robustness of the virtual reality model and personal stories.
• 158:53–159:10: Final reflection on the critical importance of the love ethic.

Episode Tone and Language

True to Campbell’s style: reflective, expansive, colloquial but rigorous in logic, drawing on both scientific and spiritual ideas. Mishlove acts as a thoughtful, sometimes skeptical, facilitator, drawing distinctions and posing clarifying challenges. Both emphasize open-minded skepticism and the importance of direct experience (“It’s not your truth if it isn’t your experience.” [158:57]).

Conclusion

This densely-packed discussion offers a far-reaching overview of Tom Campbell’s worldview—a synthesis of physics, consciousness studies, spirituality, and ethics—firmly rooted in the idea that our reality is computed by consciousness, that love is evolution’s imperative, and that only by confronting both our own limitations and the mysteries that science and spirituality hint at, can humanity hope to progress.