# Connections as “portals” between the Physical and Informational Universes I. Core Concept: Connections as Portals - A. Defining “Portal”: A bridge or interface between the physical and informational realms, where information is not merely about the physical but constitutive of it. A site of dynamic interplay and exchange. - B. The Primacy of Connections: “It’s the connections, not the things” as a foundational principle. Shifting focus from isolated entities to the relationships that define them. - C. Symbolic Referents: Exploring how symbols mediate between the physical and informational, acting as both pointers and embodiments of meaning. Distinguishing between the symbol, the referent, and the relationship between them. Examples: names, words, mathematical symbols, cultural artifacts. II. Information Encoding and Embodiment - A. DNA and Biology: - * DNA as informational code (genotype) and physical structure (phenotype). - * Gene expression and protein synthesis as a portal: information becoming physical form and function. - * The role of epigenetics in mediating gene expression through environmental information. - B. Language and Culture: - * Language as a system of symbolic representation, shaping thought and perception. - * Cultural artifacts as symbolic links to shared histories, values, and beliefs. - * Memes as units of cultural information, evolving and influencing behavior. - * The impact of language on physical reality (e.g., social constructs, self-fulfilling prophecies). - C. Mathematics and Computation: - * Mathematical objects as abstract entities with physical relevance. - * Mathematical equations as descriptions of physical laws. - * Computation as a process of manipulating information, with physical consequences. - * Zero as a portal: representing nothing, a placeholder, a point of origin, and a crucial element in mathematics and computation. - * Algorithms: existing in the informational realm yet directly impacting the physical world. III. Information, Consciousness, and Experience - A. Consciousness: - * The hard problem of consciousness: the relationship between subjective experience and the physical brain. - * Information processing as a potential bridge to understanding consciousness. - * Exploring theories of consciousness that posit a connection to information. - B. Dreams: - * Dreams as a blend of sensory input and symbolic thought. - * Dreams as a potential portal to the subconscious mind. - * The influence of dreams on waking life. - C. Placebos: - * The placebo effect as evidence of the power of belief (information) to influence physical health. - * The mechanisms by which beliefs affect physiological processes. - * The ethical implications of the placebo effect. IV. Information and the Physical Universe - A. Quantum Physics: - * Quantum entanglement as a non-local connection between particles. - * Wave-particle duality as a paradoxical manifestation of quantum reality. - * Quantum information theory and its implications for understanding the universe. - B. Cosmology and Astrophysics: - * Dark matter and dark energy as potential manifestations of informational structures. - * Exploring cosmological models that incorporate information-theoretic principles. - * Black hole information paradox and its potential resolutions. - C. Form and Structure: - * How information dictates the structure of physical objects. - * Examples: crystal formation, snowflake patterns, the Fibonacci sequence in nature. - * The relationship between information, entropy, and the emergence of complexity. V. Symbolic Referents: Deeper Dive - A. Names and Identity: Personal names as symbolic links to identity, family history, and cultural meaning. The act of changing one’s name as a complex interplay of personal agency, symbolic meaning, and physical reality. - B. Brands and Cultural Meaning: Brands as symbolic representations of companies, products, or services, evoking emotions and influencing behavior. - C. Art and Music: Art as symbolic expression, conveying emotions, ideas, and experiences. Music as structured sound, evoking emotions and creating shared experiences. VI. Synthesis and Implications - A. Comparative Analysis: Identifying common themes and patterns across different “portals.” - B. Developing a Typology: Classifying “portals” based on their characteristics and functions. - C. Refining the Definition: Revisiting and refining the definition of “portal” in light of the research. - D. Challenges and Criticisms: Addressing potential limitations and criticisms of the “portal” concept. - E. The Informational Universe Hypothesis Revisited: Connecting the “portal” concept to the Informational Universe Hypothesis and exploring its implications for our understanding of reality.