[Paper Review] Process Physics: Modelling Reality as Self-Organising Information

Reginald T. Cahill, Christopher M. Klinger+1 more|ArXiv.org|Sep 8, 2000

Computational Physics and Python Applications3 references16 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes Process Physics as a foundational theory modeling reality as self-organizing relational information, using self-referential noise (SRN) to overcome Gödelian incompleteness and unify quantum mechanics and spacetime. SRN drives the emergence of a three-dimensional fractal process-space hosting topological defects described by a Quantum Homotopic Field Theory (QHFT), which reproduces quantum behavior, non-locality, and the arrow of time without relying on classical objects or geometric time.

ABSTRACT

The new Process Physics models reality as self-organising relational information and takes account of the limitations of logic, discovered by Godel and extended by Chaitin, by using the concept of self-referential noise. Space and quantum physics are emergent and unified, and described by a Quantum Homotopic Field Theory of fractal topological defects embedded in a three dimensional fractal process-space.

Motivation & Objective

• To resolve deep foundational flaws in current physics, particularly the reliance on meta-rules to model time and measurement, which indicate limitations in formalism.
• To address the incompleteness of logical and axiomatic systems, as revealed by Gödel and Chaitin, by introducing self-referential noise (SRN) as a physical mechanism.
• To unify quantum physics and spacetime geometry by deriving them as emergent phenomena from a relational, process-based information system.
• To provide a physical realization of Wheeler’s 'it from bit' program by embedding information in a non-geometric, pre-geometric process-space.
• To explain quantum non-locality, the arrow of time, and the contingent present moment through topologically encoded information and stochastic dynamics.

Proposed method

• Model reality as a self-organizing relational information system where information is intrinsic and non-reducible to objects, using the concept of self-referential noise (SRN) to represent unprovable or non-algorithmic truths.
• Introduce a Quantum Stochastic Dynamics (QSD) term in the evolution equation to model measurement events and localize states, preserving topological information during collapse.
• Construct a Quantum Homotopic Field Theory (QHFT) that describes the dynamics of fractal topological defects embedded in a three-dimensional, self-organizing process-space.
• Use functional integral calculus to deconstruct the Schrödinger equation into preon-level fermionic functionals, introducing a meta-colour dynamics that enforces confinement.
• Define mappings παβ between process-space regions as group manifold parameters, leading to gauge symmetries that reproduce the flavor symmetries of the Standard Model.
• Model the present moment and the arrow of time through the intrinsic ordering of events in process-time, which is non-geometric and non-static, unlike real-number time.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How can a physical theory account for the contingent present moment and the arrow of time without relying on geometric time?
• RQ2 Can self-referential noise (SRN) serve as a physical mechanism that transcends the limits of logic and formalism, as suggested by Gödel and Chaitin?
• RQ3 How can quantum non-locality and entanglement be explained as emergent properties of a relational, pre-geometric information system?
• RQ4 Can spacetime, quantum fields, and gravity emerge from a single, unified process-based framework without assuming fundamental objects or fields?
• RQ5 What is the role of topological defects in a fractal process-space in generating fermionic and bosonic quantum modes?

Key findings

• The system generates a three-dimensional, fractal process-space through non-algorithmic, self-referential noise (SRN), which acts as a fundamental driver of complexity and structure.
• Quantum Homotopic Field Theory (QHFT) successfully describes both fermionic and bosonic modes as topologically encoded information with winding numbers, without postulating fundamental particles.
• The QSD term in the evolution equation ensures that local measurements preserve topological information and reproduce the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics, including Born’s rule.
• The theory naturally explains quantum non-locality and EPR-type entanglement as consequences of non-local, topologically encoded information with multiple 'footprints' in process-space.
• The theory realizes Wheeler’s 'it from bit' program by progressing from 'bit' to 'gebit' to 'qubit' to 'it', with the bit level constrained by Gödelian incompleteness.
• The model reproduces the Standard Model’s flavor symmetries through group manifold mappings παβ, which emerge from the dynamical stability of relational information.