Computational Realism: An Emergent Dynamical Universe

A Framework for Fundamental Physics Based on Relational Computation and Its Cellular Automaton Realization Model

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English Version

Introduction

Many of us are driven by a shared conviction: that the universe, at its most fundamental level, is not governed by a collection of complex differential equations and manually-inputted physical constants, but is instead a magnificent computational process emerging from simple rules. The pioneering work of Stephen Wolfram has illuminated this exciting path for us all.

This, however, leads to the ultimate questions: Within the near-infinite "rule space," what selects the specific rule of our universe? And what structure does the "hardware" substrate for this computational process possess?

The theoretical framework we present here, Computational Realism, is a systematic attempt to address these core questions.

Our Core Postulates

1. The Core Postulate: We posit that the ontology of the universe is a computational process based on relations. Reality is not constituted by isolated "objects," but is instead defined by a vast, evolving "network of relations."

2. The Cellular Automaton as a Model: Within this framework, a cellular automaton (and by extension, a hypergraph rewriting system) is not the universe itself, but rather the simplest mathematical-computational model we can use to host and simulate this "relational computation." It provides us with a concrete, operational language to describe how these abstract relations evolve over time.

3. The Physical Substrate: Our Computational Realism introduces a set of axioms with strong physical motivation. These axioms aim to constrain this rule space and to provide a concrete "hardware" and "dynamics" model for the computational process.

The Unified Dynamics of Our Theory: From Cellular Automaton to Macro and Micro Reality

The entire dynamics of our theory originates from a single, universal Rule that governs every step of our proposed cellular automaton's (or, more generally, relational network's) evolution. We assert that the effects of this single Rule, when analyzed at two distinct but interconnected scales, give rise to all known physical phenomena.

1. The Macro-Statistical Effect: Entropy Dynamics When we analyze the statistical average behavior of a vast number of bits over extended regions of spacetime, we observe an effective set of "fluid dynamics" laws—what we term Entropy Dynamics. This macroscopic effect is responsible for explaining all fundamental phenomena related to spacetime, gravity, and observer information:

• Gravity and Relativity: They are the dynamical consequences of the entropy density field (the "computational viscosity" of spacetime itself) and its gradients (the gravitational field).

• Quantum Entanglement and Randomness: They are the epistemological effects that necessarily arise for an internal observer facing a deterministic system whose state is rendered unknowable by the macroscopic gravitational background.

2. The Micro-Topological Effect: Soliton Dynamics When we delve into the microscopic scale to analyze the specific, stable, localized "information patterns" permitted by the Rule, we observe a set of laws governing "particles" and their interactions—what we term Soliton Dynamics. This microscopic effect is responsible for explaining the entirety of particle physics:

• Mass of Matter: It originates from the specific topological structural cost that these "information solitons" (particles) must incur to exist stably.

• Electromagnetic, Strong, and Weak Forces: They arise from different types of topological interactions between these solitons.

The Core Physics Questions We Aim to Systematically Answer

Through the "macro-micro dual-effect" model described above, our theory aims to provide an internally consistent explanatory framework for core questions across all scales of physics, all derived from a unified set of axioms and dynamics:

I. Emergence of Classical Spacetime and Matter

• What is matter? Matter is a stable, self-sustaining "cross-dimensional information vortex," whose rest mass is the structural cost required to maintain resonance within a multi-scalar computational hardware.

• What is light? A photon is a linear, topologically trivial, and perpetually moving "dynamical event" driven by a chiral rule within the computational field, with its energy manifesting as spatial frequency.

• Why does the Lorentz transformation emerge? The Lorentz transformation is a coordinated set of dynamical adaptations that any stable information soliton must undergo to maintain its internal "computational self-consistency" (causal synchrony) while in motion.

II. The Unified Mechanism of Forces and Fields

• What is gravity? Gravity is not a fundamental force, but an emergent, imbalanced attractive effect that arises when the intrinsic "vacuum repulsion" (a tendency for entropy diffusion) of the computational field is mutually "shielded" by matter (low-entropy information solitons).

• Why does gravity propagate at the same speed as light? Because gravity (the propagation of entropy density gradients) and light (the propagation of bit-patterns) share the same physical medium, their maximum propagation speeds are consequently constrained by the same medium property, c.

• What is the relationship between G and Λ? The gravitational constant G and the cosmological constant Λ are not independent constants, but two faces of the same underlying "entropy dynamics" process, representing matter's capacity to "consume entropy" and the vacuum's rate to "generate entropy" respectively, and thus share a profound inverse relationship (G ∝ 1/Λ).

III. The Deterministic Foundation of Quantum Reality

• What is entanglement? Entanglement is a superdeterministic "synchronous decoding" phenomenon, orchestrated by a shared, unknowable macroscopic background (the micro-informational bitstream of the gravitational field).

• What is randomness? All physical "randomness" arises from the unavoidable "informational incompleteness" of any internal observer with respect to an objectively deterministic system, particularly its macroscopic gravitational background.

IV. The Endogenous Solution to Cosmological Puzzles

• How is the fine-tuning problem of dark energy density resolved? That we observe the density of dark energy to be comparable to that of matter today is not a coincidence, but a necessary "power transition" phase in the universe's dynamical evolution from a "matter-dominated" (entropy-consuming) era to a "dark-energy-dominated" (entropy-generating) one, which provides the optimal conditions for the stable existence of complex structures like us.

• What is a black hole? A black hole is an informationally connected, gravitationally confined "information condensate," whose interior represents the lowest possible entropy configuration for matter in that volume, while its total entropy is proportional to its event horizon area because it measures the "boundary complexity" of the system's interaction with the high-entropy universe.

• What is dark matter? Dark matter consists of "higher-dimensional information solitons" that exist stably on higher computational layers (n≥4) of our universe's multi-layered hardware, its "darkness" arising from a "dimensional segregation" due to mismatched "interaction ports" with our three generations of matter.

An Invitation for Collaboration and Critique

We are deeply aware that the potential of any fundamental theory must be established through open and rigorous computational and logical scrutiny. We invite the most creative minds to explore the possibilities of this framework with us.

We cordially invite you to:

1. Research the Axiomatic System: To investigate the logical completeness and physical consequences of our proposed axioms.

2. Engage in Computational Modeling: Our proposed "multi-layered, history-dependent cellular automaton" is a challenging yet highly promising subject for modeling. We eagerly anticipate computational experiments that can visualize its dynamics and verify whether it can give rise to the phenomena we predict.

3. Examine the Mathematical Derivations: To rigorously check the key mathematical derivations within our theory, such as the emergence of Newton's law of gravitation from the entropy dynamics equation and the reconstruction of the Lorentz transformation.

4. Participate in Critical Discussion (Critique): To help us identify potential logical flaws, hidden assumptions, or inconsistencies with known experimental data. Every challenge you pose is an invaluable opportunity for us to refine our theory.

Goals and Vision

The goal of this project is to provide an alternative theoretical framework for fundamental physics that is logically self-consistent, ontologically more economical, and more powerful in its explanatory force. We hope that by exploring a different path, we can offer new perspectives on some long-standing puzzles in physics.

This repository documents the preliminary results of this exploration. We are making it public to share these ideas with all thinkers who hold a similar curiosity about the foundations of physics and philosophy, and we look forward to stimulating new and fruitful discussions.

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中文版本 (Chinese Version)

引言

我们中的许多人都秉持着一个共同的信念：宇宙在其最根本的层面上，并非由一套复杂的微分方程和手动输入的物理常数所支配，而是一个由简单规则涌现出的宏伟的计算过程。斯蒂芬·沃尔夫勒姆（Stephen Wolfram）的开创性工作为我们所有人照亮了这条激动人心的道路。

然而，这引出了终极问题：在近乎无限的“规则空间”中，是什么选择了我们宇宙的特定规则？以及这个计算过程的“硬件”基底拥有什么样的结构？

我们在此提出的理论框架——计算现实主义，对这些核心问题所做的一次系统性解答的尝试。

我们的核心假设

1. 核心假设： 我们假定，宇宙的本体是一个基于关系的计算过程。现实并非由孤立的“物体”构成，而是由一个巨大且不断演化的“关系网络”所定义。

2. 作为模型的元胞自动机： 在此框架内，元胞自动机（并可引申至超图重写系统）并非宇宙本身，而是我们能用来承载和模拟这种“关系计算”的最简单的数学-计算模型。它为我们提供了一种具体的、可操作的语言，来描述这些抽象关系如何随时间演化。

3. 物理基底： 我们的计算现实主义通过引入一套具有强烈物理动机的公理。这些公理旨在约束这个规则空间，并为该计算过程提供一个具体的“硬件”和“动力学”模型。

我们理论的统一动力学：从元胞自动机到宏观与微观现实

我们理论的全部动力学源于一个单一、普适的规则，它主宰着我们所提出的元胞自动机（或更广义的关系网络）演化的每一步。我们断言，这个单一规则的效应，在两个不同但相互关联的尺度上进行分析时，便产生了所有已知的物理现象。

1. 宏观统计效应：熵动力学 当我们分析广阔时空区域内海量比特的统计平均行为时，我们观察到一套有效的“流体动力学”定律——我们称之为熵动力学。这种宏观效应负责解释所有与时空、引力以及观测者信息相关的基本现象：

• 引力与相对论： 它们是熵密度场（时空本身的“计算粘性”）及其梯度（引力场）的动力学结果。

• 量子纠缠与随机性： 它们是内部观测者必然面临的认知论效应。对于一个确定性系统，由于宏观引力背景的存在，其状态变得不可知，从而产生了这些效应。

2. 微观拓扑效应：孤子动力学 当我们深入微观尺度，分析该规则所允许的特定的、稳定的、局域化的“信息模式”时，我们观察到一套支配“粒子”及其相互作用的定律——我们称之为孤子动力学。这种微观效应负责解释粒子物理学的全部内容：

• 物质的质量： 它源于这些“信息孤子”（粒子）为了稳定存在而必须付出的特定的拓扑结构成本。

• 电磁力、强力与弱力： 它们源于这些孤子之间不同类型的拓扑相互作用。

我们旨在系统性回答的核心物理问题

通过上述的“宏观-微观双重效应”模型，我们的理论旨在为贯穿所有物理学尺度的核心问题提供一个内部一致的解释框架，而所有解释都源于一套统一的公理和动力学：

I. 经典时空与物质的涌现

• 什么是物质？ 物质是一个稳定的、自我维持的“跨维度信息漩涡”，其静止质量是在多标量计算硬件中维持共振所需的结构成本。

• 什么是光？ 光子是由计算场中的手性规则驱动的、一个线性的、拓扑上平凡且永恒运动的“动力学事件”，其能量表现为空间频率。

• 为什么会涌现洛伦兹变换？ 洛伦兹变换是任何稳定的信息孤子在运动中为保持其内部“计算自洽性”（因果同步）而必须经历的一套协调的动力学适应过程。

II. 力与场的统一机制

• 什么是引力？ 引力并非一种基本力，而是一种涌现的、不平衡的吸引效应。当计算场固有的“真空排斥”（熵扩散的趋势）被物质（低熵的信息孤子）相互“屏蔽”时，这种效应便会产生。

• 为什么引力的传播速度与光速相同？ 因为引力（熵密度梯度的传播）和光（比特模式的传播）共享相同的物理媒介，所以它们的最大传播速度必然受到相同媒介属性 c 的制约。

• G 与 Λ 是什么关系？ 引力常数 G 和宇宙学常数 Λ 并非独立的常数，而是同一底层“熵动力学”过程的两个侧面，分别代表了物质“消耗熵”的能力和真空“产生熵”的速率，因此它们之间存在着深刻的反比关系 (G ∝ 1/Λ)。

III. 量子现实的决定论基础

• 什么是纠缠？ 纠缠是一种超决定论的“同步解码”现象，由一个共享的、不可知的宏观背景（引力场的微观信息比特流）所编排。

• 什么是随机性？ 所有物理上的“随机性”都源于任何内部观测者相对于一个客观确定性系统（特别是其宏观引力背景）不可避免的“信息不完备性”。

IV. 宇宙学谜题的内生性解决方案

• 暗能量密度的精细调节问题是如何解决的？ 我们今天观测到暗能量密度与物质密度相当，这并非巧合，而是宇宙从“物质主导”（消耗熵）时代向“暗能量主导”（产生熵）时代动态演化过程中一个必然的“权力交接”阶段，这个阶段为像我们这样的复杂结构的稳定存在提供了最佳条件。

• 什么是黑洞？ 黑洞是一个信息连通的、引力约束的“信息凝聚体”，其内部代表了该体积内物质可能达到的最低熵构型，而其总熵之所以与其事件视界面积成正比，是因为它衡量了该系统与高熵宇宙相互作用的“边界复杂度”。

• 什么是暗物质？ 暗物质由稳定存在于我们宇宙多层硬件的更高计算层（n≥4）上的“高维度信息孤子”构成。其“暗”性源于一种“维度隔离”，因其与我们三代物质的“相互作用端口”不匹配所致。

诚邀合作与批判

我们深知，任何基础理论的潜力都必须通过开放和严谨的计算与逻辑审查来确立。我们邀请最具创造力的头脑与我们一同探索这个框架的可能性。

我们诚挚地邀请您：

1. 研究公理系统： 探究我们所提出的公理的逻辑完备性及其物理推论。

2. 进行计算建模： 我们提出的“多层、依赖历史的元胞自动机”是一个具有挑战性但极具前景的建模对象。我们热切期待能够将其动力学可视化、并验证其是否能产生我们所预测现象的计算实验。

3. 审查数学推导： 严格检验我们理论中的关键数学推导，例如从熵动力学方程中涌现牛顿引力定律以及对洛伦兹变换的重构。

4. 参与批判性讨论（批判）： 帮助我们识别潜在的逻辑缺陷、隐藏假设或与已知实验数据不符之处。您提出的每一个挑战，都是我们完善理论的宝贵机会。

目标与愿景

本项目的目标，是为基础物理学提供一个逻辑上自洽、本体论上更经济、解释力上更强大的替代理论框架。我们希望，通过探索一条不同的道路，能够为思考一些长期存在的物理学谜题提供新的视角。

这个仓库记录了这一探索的初步成果。我们将其公开，是为了将这些思想分享给所有对物理学和哲学基础抱有同样好奇心的思考者，并期待能够激发新的、富有成效的讨论。