Talbot's book The Holographic Universe, which has become his most popular, explores the metaphysical implications that underline quantum mechanics and suggests that the universe is a hologram. After examining the work of physicist David Bohm and neurophysiologist Karl Pribram, both of whom independently arrived at holographic theories or models of the universe, the book argues that a holographic model could possibly explain supersymmetry and also various paranormal and anomalous phenomena and provide a basis for mystical experience. Melodic death metal band Scar Symmetry based its 2008 album Holographic Universe on this book

The holographic universe proves that the physical world we believe is real is in fact illusion. Energy fields are decoded by our brains into a 3D picture, to give the illusion of a physical world.