Is Reality just a Computer Simulation?? Huh?

Currently 2 major lines of thought vie for the best description of the Universe, Field Theory (such as the thoughts of Steven Hawking) and String Theory.  The latter seems to have been publicly derided in some circles of scientists as a collection or entanglement of ideas and math that no one can make sense of.  This of course is disputed by the string theorists, who include such minds as Michio Kaku and James Gates.  The world holds its Gaiaic Breath waiting for me to weigh in on the debate.  I haven't got a fig's clue about any of it.  I'm retired.  However, it is interesting, if not disturbing, that the esteemed James Gates is reporting that certain string theory, super-symmetrical equations, which describe the fundamental nature of the Universe and reality, contain embedded computer codes.  The code, a series of 0's and 1's resembles "checksums", the computer code used to verify the accurate transmission and receipt of digital  computer information. Professor Gates poses the question "might we be in a virtual reality, a computer simulation, like in the Matrix?"  OOOOOOHHHH!