## Frequency as the Foundation: A Unified Process Ontology of Reality [Rowan Brad Quni](mailto:[email protected]) Principal Investigator, [QNFO](https://qnfo.org) ORCID: [0009-0002-4317-5604](https://ORCID.org/0009-0002-4317-5604) ### Abstract This document proposes a novel **process ontology** where reality is fundamentally a dynamically self-generating and self-organizing system. The universe is conceptualized as a foundational, dynamic medium or substrate undergoing continuous, iterative processing. This inherent process gives rise to observable phenomena not as static entities composed *of* substance, but as dynamic relational patterns *within* this fundamental medium. A central tenet emerging directly from this process ontology is a **frequency-centric view of reality**. Within the fundamental dynamic medium, all phenomena—from fundamental fields and elementary particles to complex systems—are understood as dynamic relational patterns characterized by intrinsic processing frequencies or rates of change. This perspective illuminates a profound connection between General Relativity ($E=mc^2$) and Quantum Mechanics ($E=\hbar\omega$). Using natural units ($\hbar=1, c=1$), these established equations lead directly to the fundamental identity $m=\omega$. This identity, a mathematical consequence of accepted physics when unit conventions are removed, asserts that in a unit system aligned with nature's fundamental constants, a particle’s mass is numerically identical to its intrinsic angular frequency. Illuminated by this process ontology, the $m=\omega$ identity compels a reinterpretation of mass. Mass is viewed not as inert substance but as a stable, resonant state—a self-sustaining standing wave pattern—within the fundamental dynamic medium. It represents the energy and informational complexity of this pattern, fundamentally determined by its characteristic frequency, specifically the Compton frequency ($\omega_C$). Physical entities are thus dynamic, information-theoretic patterns, suggesting the universe operates as a fundamentally computational system processing frequency-encoded information. Mass signifies stable, self-validating information structures within this cosmic computation, solidified and maintained by the dynamics of the fundamental process. This perspective effectively dissolves traditional dualisms (e.g., information vs. substance, discrete vs. continuous) by asserting that dynamic relational patterns processed within the fundamental medium *are* the fundamental ontological basis, unifying information and substance, discreteness and apparent continuity, as inherent aspects of these patterns. This framework offers significant explanatory power for fundamental observations: the cosmic drive towards increasing complexity and the mathematical elegance of physical laws. It provides a conceptual bridge between GR and QM by interpreting both as descriptions of the fundamental medium's dynamics at different scales. It suggests specific, testable predictions related to a proposed discrete processing tempo and the resonant nature of fundamental reality. The validity of this perspective is assessed by its **comprehensive coherence**: logical consistency (self-organization, dissolution of paradoxes via processing), explanatory breadth (unifying phenomena, explaining $m=\omega$, bridging GR/QM, accounting for complexity/laws), compatibility with empirical observation (reinterpreting data, proposing testable predictions), and capacity as a productive foundation for future inquiry. ### 1. Introduction: Bridging Relativity and Quantum Mechanics through Energy The early 20th century saw the emergence of two foundational pillars of modern physics: General Relativity (GR) and Quantum Mechanics (QM). While remarkably successful in describing the universe at vastly different scales—GR detailing spacetime and gravity at large scales, and QM governing matter and energy at the smallest scales—these theories are deeply interconnected through the concept of energy. This paper explores this shared foundation, highlighting a profound, inherent relationship between mass and frequency, a relationship strikingly revealed through the lens of a process ontology and the strategic use of natural units. #### 1.1 Two Perspectives on Energy: Mass vs. Oscillation Special Relativity, most famously expressed as $E=mc^2$, quantifies the immense energy ($E$) contained within mass ($m$), even at rest ($E_0 = m_0c^2$). This perspective treats energy, in this context, as a static, intrinsic property of substance. In contrast, Quantum Mechanics, particularly via the Planck-Einstein relation $E=hf$ (or $E=\hbar\omega$ using angular frequency $\omega=2\pi f$), portrays energy as fundamentally dynamic and oscillatory. This view posits that energy is directly proportional to frequency ($f$ or $\omega$) through Planck’s constant ($h$ or $\hbar$). It sees energy not as static substance but as vibration, action, or process, supported by phenomena like the Ultraviolet Catastrophe and the photoelectric effect. These two successful yet seemingly disparate views of energy—one grounded in static substance ($mc^2$) and the other in dynamic action ($\hbar\omega$)—describe a wide array of phenomena across different scales, suggesting they are not contradictory but rather complementary aspects of a single underlying reality. #### 1.2 The Bridge Equation: $\hbar\omega = mc^2$ A fundamental principle of the physical universe is its internal consistency. When describing the same physical system, the two established expressions for energy must be equivalent. For a particle with relativistic mass $m$, its total energy is given by Einstein's mass-energy equivalence as $E=mc^2$. According to quantum mechanics, this energy corresponds to an intrinsic angular frequency $\omega$ such that $E=\hbar\omega$. Equating these two expressions yields the fundamental "Bridge Equation": $\hbar\omega = mc^2$ This equation is not merely a theoretical curiosity; it is empirically validated by fundamental physical processes. Phenomena such as particle-antiparticle annihilation, where mass is completely converted into energetic photons of a specific frequency, and conversely, pair production, where energetic photons convert into mass, occur precisely as this equivalence predicts. #### 1.3 The Veil of Constants: $\hbar$ and $c$ The intrinsic simplicity and elegance of the relationship between mass and frequency are often obscured in standard units by the presence of fundamental constants $\hbar$ and $c$. These constants serve as conversion factors, translating quantities into human-defined units like kilograms, meters, and seconds. They function essentially as arbitrary scaling factors that conceal the deeper, intrinsic, and scale-free relationship between fundamental physical quantities. $\hbar \approx 1.055 \times 10^{-34}$ J·s is the reduced Planck constant, the fundamental quantum of action, establishing the link between energy and angular frequency ($E=\hbar\omega$). $c = 299,792,458$ m/s is the universal speed limit of causality and information propagation, acting as the conversion factor between mass and energy in $E=mc^2$. These constants frequently appear together in fundamental equations, hinting at a deep, unit-transcendent relationship between quantum action, electromagnetism, and the structure of spacetime, famously seen in the dimensionless Fine-Structure Constant ($\alpha = e^2/(4\pi\epsilon_0\hbar c)$). The numerical values of $\hbar$ and $c$ are artifacts of our historical choice of units; their ratio $\hbar/c^2$ represents the mass equivalent per unit angular frequency in standard units, serving as a universal conversion factor between frequency and mass in that system. #### 1.4 The Power of Natural Units To remove the arbitrary scaling imposed by human-defined units and reveal the fundamental structure and inherent equivalences within physical laws, theoretical physicists often use **natural units**. This involves setting fundamental constants to unity (1), effectively recalibrating our measurements to align with nature’s intrinsic scales. A system particularly relevant to this discussion sets: - The reduced Planck constant $\hbar = 1$. - The speed of light in vacuum $c = 1$. In this natural unit system, physical equations simplify dramatically, and quantities that have different dimensions in standard units—such as mass, energy, momentum, time, length, and frequency—acquire the same dimension. This simplification explicitly reveals inherent equivalences and deep relationships hidden by the constants in standard units. ### 2. Revealing the Identity: Mass and Frequency Unified ($\omega = m$) within a Process Ontology Within the framework of natural units ($\hbar=1, c=1$), and profoundly illuminated by a process ontology, the fundamental relationship between mass and frequency is revealed not merely as a proportionality, but as a simple, elegant identity. This identity highlights a core principle of a frequency-centric view of reality. #### 2.1 Derivation in Natural Units Setting $\hbar = 1$ and $c = 1$ in the fundamental energy relations derived from quantum mechanics and relativity: From quantum mechanics (Planck-Einstein relation): $E = \hbar\omega \implies E = (1)\omega \implies E=\omega$ From relativity (Mass-Energy Equivalence): $E=mc^2 \implies E = m(1)^2 \implies E=m$ Equating these two expressions for the energy of the same system immediately yields the powerful identity: $\omega = E = m$ This identity, $\omega = m$, is the central revelation: in a system of units aligned with nature’s fundamental constants, a particle’s mass ($m$) is numerically identical to its intrinsic angular frequency ($\omega$). This is not a proposal for a new physical law but a powerful re-framing and re-interpretation of established physics, made explicit by the removal of arbitrary unit conventions. It unveils a fundamental connection obscured by the dimensional scaling factors $\hbar$ and $c$. It strongly suggests that mass and frequency are not fundamentally distinct concepts but are rather different facets or measures of the same underlying physical quantity. The apparent complexity of the relationship $hf = mc^2$ in standard units is an artifact of our chosen system of measurement; the underlying physical relationship is the simple identity $\omega = m$. In this sense, $\hbar$ and $c$ function as universal conversion factors required to translate quantities between human-defined units and the natural units where this intrinsic identity holds. #### 2.2 A Process Ontology: The Dynamic Medium and Pattern Processing A process ontology defines reality not based on static substance but on intrinsic, irreducible self-generation and organization. This process unfolds within a fundamental, dynamic medium or substrate through continuous, iterative processing. This establishes a **process ontology**, where **dynamic relational patterns** within the fundamental medium are the fundamental basis of reality. The dynamic medium is the active substrate where ongoing processing occurs, akin to a universal computational field or substrate of information flow. This processing, considered reality's fundamental computational loop, is a continuous, iterative process. Flowing directly from this process ontology and the understanding of reality as constituted by dynamic relational patterns within the fundamental dynamic medium, a central tenet is a **frequency-centric view of reality**. Within this medium, all phenomena, regardless of their scale or complexity, are dynamic relational patterns characterized by intrinsic processing frequencies—the tempo at which these patterns manifest and maintain themselves through continuous processing. These frequencies represent the rate of change, interaction, and self-maintenance of the patterns within the dynamic substrate. #### 2.3 Interpretation of the $\omega = m$ Identity within a Process Ontology Within a process ontology, the identity $\omega = m$ in natural units fundamentally describes the dynamics and stable patterns that constitute reality within the fundamental dynamic medium. The frequency $\omega$ in this identity corresponds specifically to the **Compton frequency** ($\omega_C = m_0c^2/\hbar$ in standard units), the characteristic intrinsic oscillation associated with a particle’s rest mass $m_0$. In this view, this is the intrinsic processing rate or tempo of the fundamental process operating *within* the localized pattern that constitutes the massive particle. It is the frequency required for that specific pattern to continuously self-validate and persist against the inherent dynamism and flux of the wider medium. The dynamics of pattern formation within the medium determine the specific intrinsic frequency ($\omega_C$) required for a given relational pattern's stable persistence, and this required frequency directly manifests as its mass ($m$). While $\omega_C$ is the specific frequency linked to rest mass via $\omega=m$, *all* dynamic patterns within the medium possess characteristic processing frequencies. Mass ($m$) is therefore interpreted as a measure of the stability, persistence, and resistance to change of a solidified relational structure within the fundamental dynamic medium. It directly reflects the effectiveness of the pattern's self-maintenance during its solidification. More massive patterns, characterized by lower velocities relative to $c$ (in standard units), are more resistant to changes in their state of motion and require more intensive intrinsic processing (a higher Compton frequency $\omega_C$) to maintain their stable configuration. Energy ($E$), in contrast, is interpreted as the capacity for dynamic activity or change within the fundamental substrate—it represents flux and potential for transformation, reflected in higher processing frequencies or faster pattern transformation rates. The Higgs mechanism, which in the Standard Model explains the origin of mass for elementary particles, is reinterpreted within this frequency-centric process view. Specifically, it is understood as the mechanism by which a pervasive state or field within the fundamental dynamic medium (corresponding to the Higgs field) imparts computational persistence and resistance to change (inertial mass) to specific patterns (particles) that interact with it. Particles interacting strongly with this state solidify into patterns resulting in higher mass and, thus, a higher intrinsic Compton frequency ($\omega_C=m$). The identity $m \propto \omega$, seen most clearly as $m = \omega$ in natural units, highlights the Compton frequency ($\omega_C$) as the primary characteristic defining the stable mass manifestations of fundamental patterns, just as $\omega$ defines dynamic energy manifestations. Mass *is* the frequency of the fundamental self-validation process that sustains a persistent pattern within reality. The Planck-Einstein relation, $E=\hbar\omega$, is interpreted as describing fundamental quantized units of dynamic activity or excitation within the fundamental dynamic medium. Energy quanta (like photons) are understood as discrete excitations or resonant modes inherent to the medium's operational oscillations and processing. Their existence reflects the fundamentally quantized nature of operations within the ongoing process. Frequency ($\omega$) represents the intrinsic oscillation rate of these excitations, and $\hbar$ serves as the scaling factor that translates this intrinsic frequency into units of energy, reflecting the quantized nature of action (change or transformation) permitted within reality's computational substrate. $\hbar$ is thus the quantum of action or discrete change permitted within the fundamental computational substrate. The speed of light $c$ represents the maximum rate at which relational information can propagate through the fundamental dynamic medium—it is the speed limit for interactions and effectively sets a limit on the processing rate. Together, $\hbar$ and $c$ are interpreted not just as universal constants, but as intrinsic scaling parameters of the fundamental dynamic medium and its ongoing process, defining the fundamental relationships between energy, mass, frequency, time, and space as properties emerging from the substrate's dynamics and computational constraints. They encode the immutable "grammar" or fundamental operating principles of reality's self-organization. ### 3. Physical Interpretation: Mass as a Resonant State of Fundamental Patterns The $\omega=m$ identity, viewed through the lens of a process ontology, necessitates a fundamental shift in our understanding of mass. It is not an inert “stuff” but rather a dynamic, resonant state or a stable, self-sustaining configuration within the fundamental dynamic medium. This interpretation finds resonance with concepts in Quantum Field Theory (QFT), which can be understood as describing fundamental fields emerging from the dynamic substrate of reality, permeating spacetime. #### 3.1 Resonance, Stability, and the Particle Hierarchy The frequency $\omega$ in the identity $\omega=m$ corresponds specifically to the **Compton frequency** ($\omega_C$). The Dirac equation, a cornerstone of relativistic quantum mechanics, predicted a rapid, oscillatory motion for a free electron at this characteristic frequency, known as **Zitterbewegung** (“trembling motion”). Within this process view, this predicted oscillation is interpreted as a direct manifestation of the intrinsic processing tempo of the localized pattern that constitutes the massive particle, occurring at its Compton frequency. This provides theoretical support from established physics for the fundamental frequency-mass link posited by this perspective. This leads to the concept that elementary particles are not structureless points but are stable, self-sustaining **standing waves** or localized resonant patterns within the dynamic medium, analogous to the stable harmonic modes of a vibrating string. Their observed stability arises from **resonance**—a state of perfect, self-sustaining synchrony of their intrinsic processing dynamics within the larger medium. These stable resonant modes are precisely what we observe as elementary particles. They are patterns favored during dynamic pattern formation due to their optimality and robustness. This perspective offers a compelling explanation for the observed **particle mass hierarchy**—the existence of distinct, quantized masses for elementary particles. This hierarchy is interpreted as a discrete spectrum of allowed, stable resonant frequencies or patterns that the underlying substrate, or the quantum fields that emerge from it, can sustain. Each type of elementary particle corresponds to a unique harmonic mode or resonant state of the fundamental dynamic medium or emergent fields. Its mass is a measure of the energy and informational complexity of that specific pattern, directly proportional to its resonant frequency ($m = \omega$, specifically $m \propto \omega_C$). Unstable particles, in contrast, are interpreted as transient, dissonant states or non-resonant excitations within the fundamental dynamic medium that decay rapidly into stable, lower-energy (and thus lower-frequency) configurations. #### 3.2 The Dynamic Substrate: The Fundamental Medium and Vacuum Energy The fundamental substrate for these vibrations and patterns is the dynamic medium itself, where ongoing processing occurs. The inherent dynamic nature of this medium naturally gives rise to what are described in QFT as fundamental **quantum fields** that permeate spacetime. QFT views the universe not as empty space containing particles, but as interacting fields; even the vacuum, the lowest energy state, is not truly empty but is understood as a plenum of ceaseless **zero-point energy** fluctuations. This energetic vacuum state is interpreted as the fundamental dynamism of the medium itself, a manifestation of ongoing generation even in apparent "emptiness." Its properties are indirectly observable via phenomena like the **Casimir effect**, which arises from vacuum fluctuations. This energetic vacuum (the fundamental dynamic medium in its baseline dynamic state) is the universal substrate from which everything emerges. Particles are interpreted as localized, quantized excitations—“quanta”—of these emergent fields or, more fundamentally, stable, specific patterns within the fundamental medium itself. These patterns emerge dynamically from the zero-point background, specifically those patterns favored and solidified by the processes of selection and stabilization. The "Universal Frequency Field" could be understood as this pervasive, vibrating tapestry of emergent fields, or more fundamentally, the dynamic medium itself, where frequency characterizes the rate of change, interaction, and self-maintenance of the relational patterns. The origin of mass for many elementary particles, particularly through the **Higgs field** and **Higgs mechanism**, is reinterpreted within the frequency-centric process view. Interaction with the pervasive Higgs field (understood as a specific state or configuration of the fundamental dynamic medium that strongly promotes pattern solidification) is seen as introducing a "damping" or impedance to the oscillation and propagation of emergent fields or fundamental patterns. A massless excitation, like a photon (interpreted as a highly dynamic pattern with minimal interaction with the solidification-promoting state), propagates at the speed $c$ because its underlying oscillation is unimpeded. Interaction with the solidification-promoting state introduces "drag," localizing the excitation into a stable, lower-velocity standing wave (a more persistent pattern). This localization and resistance to change is what we perceive as inertia, or mass. Particles interacting more strongly with this solidification-promoting state experience greater "damping," resulting in higher mass and, consequently, a higher intrinsic frequency ($\omega = m$, specifically $\omega_C$), reflecting the increased processing and persistence required to maintain their stable configuration against the dynamic backdrop of the fundamental dynamic medium. ### 4. An Information-Theoretic Ontology Viewing mass as a resonant frequency within a process ontology leads directly to a profound information-theoretic interpretation of reality. The identity $\omega = m$ is not merely a physical equivalence but a fundamental statement about the computational nature of existence, where the fundamental dynamic medium is the substrate and the ongoing process is the computation. Within this framework, dynamic relational patterns are the fundamental ontological units. These patterns are inherently information-theoretic, defined by their structure, relationships, and dynamics within the medium. The ongoing processing within the fundamental medium continuously generates, validates, and maintains these patterns. - **Mass ($m$) as Informational Complexity**: Mass is interpreted as a pattern's inherent **informational complexity**. This is analogous to the concept of algorithmic complexity—the minimum amount of information required to define, specify, and maintain the dynamic pattern that constitutes the entity. Mass represents the “structural inertia” that results from the intricate process of self-definition and self-organization of the pattern, solidified by the pattern's self-maintenance dynamics. A more complex (and thus more massive) pattern requires more information and sustained processing to maintain its structure and coherence against the inherent dynamism and potential for decay within the fundamental dynamic medium. For example, a proton, being composed of quarks and gluons (which are themselves complex patterns), is significantly more massive than an electron (interpreted as a simpler pattern), reflecting the greater informational complexity and processing requirements needed to maintain its stability. - **Frequency ($\omega$) as Operational Tempo**: The intrinsic frequency $\omega$, specifically the Compton frequency ($\omega_C$) for a massive pattern, is interpreted as the pattern's fundamental **processing rate** or "clock speed." It is the tempo at which the localized pattern must continuously “compute”—that is, execute fundamental operations internally—to maintain its coherent existence. To persist in the dynamic medium, a pattern must continuously regenerate, validate, and maintain its specific structure through its internal dynamics and interactions. This is governed by the iterative processing inherent to the pattern itself. This interpretation yields a profound equivalence at the heart of this perspective: **Resonance (Physical Stability) $\iff$ Self-Validation (Informational Coherence)**. A stable particle is a resonant physical state where the pattern's intrinsic dynamics and oscillations are in perfect self-sustaining synchrony within the fundamental dynamic medium. Informationally, this corresponds to perfect self-consistency and coherence, where the pattern's structure and information content are consistently maintained by continuous processing. The processes of selection and solidification embody this self-validation, actively selecting and stabilizing coherent patterns from the vast possibilities generated by the dynamic medium. The identity $\omega = m$ thus emerges as a fundamental law of cosmic computation: **A pattern’s required operational tempo (Compton frequency) is directly proportional to its informational complexity (mass).** More complex (massive) patterns must “process” or “compute” at a higher intrinsic frequency (Compton frequency) to maintain coherence, stability, and persistence against the medium's inherent dynamism and the forces of decay. The universe, in this view, is a vast, self-organizing computation, and particles are stable, self-validating subroutines or data structures (solidified patterns) whose very existence is an ongoing computational achievement of the fundamental process. This perspective aligns perfectly with an ontology that posits self-referential systems as fundamental units, where stability arises from internal consistency and self-validation processed by fundamental operations within the dynamic medium. The framework dissolves the traditional information/substance dualism by asserting that dynamic relational patterns processed within the fundamental dynamic medium *are* the fundamental ontology; information and substance are unified as inherent, inseparable aspects of these dynamic patterns. It also dissolves the apparent discrete/continuous dualism by showing how macroscopic continuity emerges from underlying discrete processing steps. ### 5. Explanatory Power and Unification: A Frequency-Centric Ontology This frequency-centric view of reality, rooted in a process ontology based on a fundamental dynamic medium and continuous processing, offers compelling explanatory power by unifying disparate physical and philosophical observations under its core principles. The observed cosmic drive towards increasing complexity, from simple initial conditions to complex structures like galaxies, stars, and life, arises naturally from the inherent dynamics of the universe. Stagnation is an unstable state, compelling the system to continuously generate and stabilize increasingly complex configurations (patterns) via continuous processing. The mathematical elegance and robustness frequently observed in physical laws are accounted for by the tendency towards stable, optimal patterns within the processing. This tendency favors algorithmically simple, robust relational patterns during pattern formation because they are computationally efficient to maintain, replicate, and propagate within the fundamental dynamic medium. Emerging directly from the process ontology and the understanding of reality as dynamic patterns within the fundamental dynamic medium, the frequency-centric view provides powerful unification. Matter and Energy are not fundamentally different kinds of "stuff" but emerge within the fundamental dynamic medium through continuous processing as dynamic relational patterns distinguished primarily by the nature of their formation and dynamics. Matter patterns are those where stability and resistance to change are dominant during solidification, resulting in stable, localized patterns characterized by specific intrinsic frequencies (mass). Energy patterns are those where flux and potential for transformation are dominant, resulting in transient, non-localized excitations characterized by higher characteristic frequencies or faster transformation rates. Equating the interpretations of $E=mc^2$ (mass as stable pattern persistence and resistance to change arising from solidification) and $E=\hbar\omega$ (energy quanta as fundamental oscillations/activity within the fundamental medium arising from ongoing processing) yields the "Bridge Equation": $mc^2 = \hbar\omega$. Within this process ontology, this reveals a deeper **ontological identity**: mass *is* frequency ($m \propto \omega$), specifically the intrinsic oscillation rate, processing tempo, or Compton frequency ($\omega_C$) inherent to the stable pattern constituting a massive particle. This identity shows that mass and energy are fundamentally manifestations of frequency-characterized dynamics operating under different constraints imposed by the underlying process in the dynamic medium. This frequency-centric ontology provides a compelling path towards unifying General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. GR is interpreted as describing the emergent, macroscopic, smooth spacetime geometry that arises from the collective, statistical dynamics of large aggregates of stable patterns (matter and energy). It is the observable outcome of countless discrete processing steps averaging out to create an apparent continuous effect at large scales. This is analogous to how smooth, continuous fluid dynamics emerges from the discrete collisions of countless individual molecules. Quantum Mechanics, conversely, is interpreted as describing the probabilistic, discrete nature of the fundamental process at the level of individual relational updates and excitations (quanta) within the fundamental dynamic medium. While GR describes the aggregate behavior and large-scale structure resulting from the process's operation, QM describes the fundamental excitations and the underlying discrete processes. The framework dissolves the traditional discrete/continuous divide by proposing that Reality advances via fundamental, discrete computational steps. Macroscopic, collective states then manifest observable continuous characteristics that naturally arise from this underlying discreteness. The framework also offers insightful interpretations of other cosmological puzzles. The vacuum is explained not as empty space but as the dynamic fundamental medium itself, teeming with potential and ceaseless fluctuations arising from its ongoing dynamics. Dark energy can be interpreted as the cosmological expression of the underlying dynamics driving the overall expansion and diversification of reality (perceived macroscopically as the accelerated expansion of spacetime). It offers insights into the origin of mass (as the informational complexity and persistence of a resonant pattern) and suggests that dark matter may consist of stable, non-luminous patterns that interact primarily via their persistent, mass-like properties (affecting the structure of reality and thus gravity) without strong coupling to the dynamics that constitute standard model interactions. It also addresses the quantum measurement problem and wave function collapse, viewing measurement as an interaction that forces a probabilistic superposition (a state characterized by high potential within the fundamental dynamic medium) to resolve and conform to the persistent patterns of the measuring apparatus (a system characterized by specific solidified configurations), with the collapsed state being guided towards a stable outcome possible in the local configuration of reality. ### 6. Unifying Framework and Implications This frequency-centric model of reality, grounded in a process ontology and the dynamics of a fundamental dynamic medium, provides a powerful unifying lens. It reveals striking parallels with information processing principles observed in complex systems across different scales, particularly in biological systems like the brain. This suggests that frequency is not merely a characteristic of physical waves but potentially a universal principle for encoding, structuring, and processing information, applicable from the most fundamental level of physics all the way up to complex cognition, hinting at a deeper, possibly computational, structure to reality. #### 6.1 The Analogy with Neural Processing The brain operates through complex networks of neurons communicating via electrical signals. A key aspect of brain function is the organization of these signals into rhythmic oscillations across different frequency bands (e.g., theta, alpha, beta, gamma rhythms). Information is encoded not only in the rate of neuronal firing but also significantly in the frequency, phase, and synchronization of these oscillations, which correlate with various cognitive states and tasks. A particularly relevant parallel is found in the **binding problem** in neuroscience—the question of how the brain integrates disparate sensory information (e.g., the shape, color, and movement of an object) into a single, unified perception. One prominent hypothesis, **binding-by-synchrony**, proposes that the temporal synchronization or phase-locking of neural oscillations across different brain regions serves as a fundamental mechanism for binding this spatially distributed information into coherent cognitive percepts. This concept of binding by synchrony in the brain is strikingly analogous to how particle stability is understood in the frequency-centric view of a process ontology. A fundamental particle, such as an electron, is interpreted as a coherent entity whose underlying patterns are “bound” together and maintained by **resonance**—a state of perfect, self-sustaining synchrony of their intrinsic processing dynamics at the Compton frequency. Just as synchronized neural oscillations might bind disparate information into coherent cognitive percepts, this framework suggests that nature utilizes resonance (the synchrony of fundamental pattern dynamics) to create stable physical entities (particles) from the dynamic excitations of the fundamental dynamic substrate. Both stable physical entities and coherent cognitive states appear to rely fundamentally on synchronous oscillatory activity and frequency-based information processing. #### 6.2 Frequency as the Universal Code The parallel between the $\omega=m$ identity governing fundamental physical structure (mass as the resonant frequency of solidified patterns) and the observed reliance on frequency patterns in brain processing suggests that **frequency is a universal carrier of both energy and information**. If fundamental physical reality is rooted in stable resonant frequency patterns within a dynamic medium, and complex cognition builds upon the sophisticated organization of frequency patterns in biological systems, then it is plausible that the universe itself is a multi-layered information system operating on a fundamental frequency substrate. In this view, the laws of physics could be interpreted as algorithms governing the behavior and interactions of frequency patterns, emerging from the continuous processing of the dynamic medium. Mass is then understood as stable, localized information structures (solidified patterns defined by their characteristic resonant frequencies), and consciousness may be an emergent property arising from complex, highly self-referential, and synchronized frequency patterns in biological systems, which are themselves built upon the underlying frequency patterns of matter. This perspective suggests a deep continuity from the fundamental principles of physics to the complexities of biology and potentially higher-level phenomena, all underpinned by frequency as a core organizational principle. #### 6.3 Reinterpreting Fundamental Forces If elementary particles are fundamentally stable resonant modes of patterns (or the emergent quantum fields that arise from the fundamental dynamic medium), then the fundamental forces governing their interactions can be reinterpreted not as mediated by discrete particles (bosons) in the traditional sense, but as mechanisms that alter these resonant states or mediate the transfer of information (encoded in frequency, phase, and amplitude) between them. The exchange of force-carrying bosons, in this view, could be seen as the transfer of modulatory information or excitation that influences the frequency, phase, or amplitude of the interacting particles’ standing waves within the fundamental dynamic medium. For example, an atom absorbing a photon is a transition of the atom's constituent patterns to a higher-energy, transient frequency state (representing a less persistent pattern before decay or re-emission). This dynamic, wave-based or pattern-based picture of interactions between resonant patterns could offer new avenues for a unified theory of fundamental forces, describing all interactions via the dynamics of frequency patterns and their influence on the resonant states of entities within the fundamental dynamic medium. #### 6.4 Gravity as Spacetime’s Influence on Frequency This framework suggests that spacetime, which emerges as a macroscopic phenomenon from the collective dynamics of the fundamental dynamic medium, is a dynamic entity intrinsically connected to the behavior of fundamental fields and patterns. General Relativity provides compelling empirical evidence for this connection through phenomena like **gravitational redshift**, which demonstrates that the frequency of light decreases as it climbs out of a gravitational well. In the $\omega=m$ framework, this phenomenon is a direct manifestation of gravity (understood as the curvature or configuration of spacetime resulting from the collective dynamics of aggregated patterns—i.e., mass/energy) altering the intrinsic processing frequencies of the patterns within that region. Since mass *is* frequency ($\omega=m$), gravity inherently alters mass by changing the local processing tempo required for a pattern's persistence. This is entirely consistent with General Relativity, where all forms of energy (and thus mass) contribute to spacetime curvature. The $\omega=m$ identity provides the bridge, framing gravity as the macroscopic spacetime geometry modulating the local resonant frequencies and processing tempos of the fundamental patterns that constitute matter and energy. ### 7. Empirical Touchpoints and Testable Predictions A robust scientific framework must not only provide a coherent theoretical structure but also connect with empirical observation. This framework achieves this by showing strong consilience with current data, providing a consistent reinterpretation of established physical phenomena within the framework of a fundamental dynamic medium and continuous processing. More significantly, it fuels future inquiry by proposing specific, potentially testable, and uniquely falsifiable predictions that arise directly from its core principles and the proposed dynamics of fundamental processing. These offer experimental avenues to validate or falsify core aspects of its computational, resonant reality in ways distinct from purely continuous or non-computational models. 1. **Signatures of Discrete Processing Tempo:** As the process ontology posits that reality advances via fundamental, discrete steps ("computational ticks") inherent to the dynamic medium, the framework predicts subtle deviations from perfectly continuous behavior at the most fundamental scales. These deviations, arising from the inherent granularity of the process tempo, could manifest as characteristic noise spectra, subtle non-linearities in quantum state evolution (especially in highly isolated quantum systems minimally interacting with their environment), or deviations in coherence and decoherence rates that are not fully predicted by current continuous models. These effects would be specifically related to the fundamental granularity imposed by reality's discrete processing tempo, offering potentially falsifiable predictions for high-precision quantum experiments (e.g., refining measurements in quantum optics, condensed matter systems, or precision atomic physics). These predicted signatures of underlying discreteness are unique to models proposing a fundamental computational substrate. 2. **Detection of Fundamental Resonant Frequencies/Relational Harmonics of the Medium:** The fundamental dynamic medium is proposed as an oscillating substrate from which emergent fields and particles arise. As such, it is predicted to possess its own set of fundamental resonant frequencies and modes, akin to the natural frequencies of a physical medium. These predicted fundamental medium resonances are distinct from particle resonant states (like the Compton frequency). The framework suggests that experimental efforts should be directed towards searching for specific, characteristic frequency signatures corresponding to these *medium* resonances in high-precision resonance experiments (e.g., utilizing advanced atomic clocks, high-resolution spectroscopy), in cosmological background measurements (e.g., in the spectrum of gravitational waves from the early universe or potential phase transitions of the fundamental medium), or through advanced gravitational wave detection techniques sensitive to very high-frequency modes. These signatures could offer a direct experimental window into the universe's native computational tempo and underlying resonant structure, representing unique predictions of a model with a dynamic, resonant fundamental medium. 3. **Anomalies in Extreme Conditions Challenging Process Dynamics:** In physical regimes that significantly stress the fundamental discrete operations and the continuous processing within the dynamic medium (e.g., conditions of extremely high energy density such as those found near black hole event horizons, in the very early universe shortly after the Big Bang, or in extremely high-velocity particle collisions), the framework predicts that emergent properties like vacuum energy density, inertial mass, or gravitational interactions may show subtle anomalies or deviations from the predictions of purely continuous models. These extreme conditions could potentially reveal the underlying discrete structure and dynamics of the fundamental generative process when its ability to smoothly process is challenged, potentially showing quantum-gravitational effects directly linked to the discrete and computational nature of fundamental reality, and providing falsifiable predictions for observations of extreme astrophysical phenomena or high-energy collider experiments. Such deviations tied specifically to the limits of discrete processing distinguish this model. 4. **Context-Dependent Variation in Emergent Parameters:** Fundamental constants ($\hbar, c$), coupling constants (like the fine-structure constant $\alpha$), and potentially particle mass ratios are interpreted within this framework as emergent properties arising from the collective dynamics of the fundamental dynamic medium and the specific parameters of the ongoing process. As such, they might show slight, measurable variations dependent on local environmental conditions or the specific configuration of the fundamental medium in a given region. Local changes in the process rate or the configuration of the medium, driven by local pattern interactions, could subtly alter these parameters. The framework suggests searching for subtle, empirically detectable variations in these "constants" under controlled extreme laboratory conditions (e.g., high fields, high pressure), in strong gravitational potentials, or across diverse astrophysical locales (e.g., comparing measurements from distant quasars to local measurements), probing their dependency on the local state and dynamics of the fundamental generative process. Detecting such context-dependent variations would strongly support the framework's view of constants as emergent properties rather than immutable, predefined values, a prediction not typically made by models assuming strictly invariant constants. These concrete, uniquely falsifiable predictions, directly linked to the fundamental discrete generative process and the resonant substrate, provide vital pathways for rigorous scientific engagement and refinement of this framework, bridging its conceptual coherence with empirical investigation and potential falsification. ### 8. Conclusion: Towards Comprehensive Coherence Assessing the "truth" of the core claim of this framework—that the ultimate ontology of reality is an inherently computational, self-organizing process instantiated within a fundamental dynamic medium, where mass is fundamentally equivalent to frequency—is most appropriately grounded in the concept of **comprehensive coherence**. For such a foundational ontology, "truth" is not solely reliant on direct empirical verification, particularly in its nascent stages; a fundamental model of reality must first demonstrate logical soundness and broad explanatory power. Its robustness and potential validity are best evaluated by the degree to which it integrates **logical consistency** (demonstrated by the self-contained structure of self-organization, the proposed resolution of fundamental paradoxes via processing within the dynamic medium), **explanatory breadth** (exhibited by its capacity to unify and account for diverse phenomena ranging from the cosmic drive towards complexity and the mathematical elegance of physical laws to the fundamental identity $m = \omega$ in natural units and the conceptual bridging of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics), and **compatibility with empirical observation** (shown by its consistent reinterpretation of existing data and, crucially, its proposal of concrete, uniquely falsifiable avenues for future empirical investigation), alongside providing a **productive foundation for future scientific exploration** (stimulating novel research questions). This framework demonstrates exceptional comprehensive coherence across these criteria. Its self-contained structure of self-organization and the proposed dissolution of fundamental paradoxes via processing within the fundamental dynamic medium provide a robust logical foundation. It exhibits strong explanatory power, offering a unified perspective on diverse phenomena, from the cosmic drive towards complexity and the elegance of physical laws to the intrinsic identity $m = \omega$ and the conceptual bridging of GR and QM. It is consistent with current empirical data by providing a new, coherent lens through which to view established results and, crucially, proposes concrete, uniquely falsifiable predictions directly linked to its core principles (e.g., signatures of discrete processing, detection of fundamental resonant frequencies or relational harmonics of the medium, anomalies in extreme conditions, context-dependent variations in parameters). This profound comprehensive coherence across logical structure, explanatory power, and alignment with the potential for empirical science presents a compelling case for the potential validity of this framework as a description of fundamental reality and invites continued exploration, rigorous testing, and potential validation or refinement—suggesting that the universe itself **is a self-generating computation**. ### 9. References Standard theoretical physics texts provide foundational background on quantum mechanics, relativity, natural units, particle physics, and quantum field theory, introducing key concepts such as $E=mc^2$, $E=hf$ (or $E=\hbar\omega$), the fundamental constants $\hbar$ and $c$, and the use of natural units ($\hbar=1, c=1$). Examples include: - Griffiths, David J. *Introduction to Elementary Particles*. 3rd ed. Wiley-VCH, 2019. - Peskin, Michael E., and Daniel V. Schroeder. *An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory*. Westview Press, 1995. - Weinberg, Steven. *The Quantum Theory of Fields, Vol. 1: Foundations*. Cambridge University Press, 1995. Specific foundational papers and relevant concepts referenced or discussed: - Einstein, A. “Ist die Trägheit eines Körpers von seinem Energiegehalt abhängig?” *Annalen der Physik* **18**, 639 (1905). (Mass-Energy Equivalence) - Einstein, A. “Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper.” *Annalen der Physik* **17**, 891 (1905). (Special Relativity) - Planck, M. “Zur Theorie des Gesetzes der Energieverteilung im Normalspectrum.” *Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft* **2**, 237 (1900). (Planck’s law - early work on energy quanta) - Planck, M. “Über das Gesetz der Energieverteilung im Normalspektrum.” *Annalen der Physik* **4**, 553 (1901). (Planck’s law - complete) - Einstein, A. “Über einen die Erzeugung und Verwandlung des Lichtes betreffenden heuristischen Gesichtspunkt.” *Annalen der Physik* **17**, 132 (1905). (Photoelectric effect, concept of light quanta) - Dirac, P. A. M. “The Quantum Theory of the Electron.” *Proceedings of the Royal Society A* **117**, 610 (1928). (Dirac equation, prediction of Zitterbewegung) - Buzsáki, György. *Rhythms of the Brain*. Oxford University Press, 2006. (Comprehensive resource on frequency/oscillations in neuroscience) - NIST, Planck constant. [https://physics.nist.gov/cgi-bin/cuu/Value?h] (Source for value of h/hbar) - NIST, Speed of light in vacuum. [https://physics.nist.gov/cgi-bin/cuu/Value?c] (Source for value of c) - Compton, A. H. (1923). A Quantum Theory of the Scattering of X-Rays by Light Elements. *Physical Review*, 21(5), 483–502. (Introduced Compton Wavelength/Frequency concept) - Experimental simulations of Zitterbewegung in condensed matter systems (e.g., electron-like quasiparticles in graphene or trapped ions). (Modern experimental support for Zitterbewegung concept) - Casimir, H. B. G. “On the attraction between two perfectly conducting plates.” *Proceedings of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences* **51**, 793 (1948). (Predicted the Casimir effect) - Lamoreaux, S. K. (1997). Demonstration of the Casimir Force in the 0.6 to 6 μm Range. *Physical Review Letters*, 78(1), 5–8. (Experimental verification of the Casimir effect) - Penzias, A. A., and R. W. Wilson. “A Measurement of Excess Antenna Temperature at 4080 Mc/s.” *The Astrophysical Journal* **142**, 419 (1965). (Discovery of Cosmic Microwave Background - related to vacuum energy) - Literature on the Standard Model Higgs mechanism and experimental results from LHC concerning the Higgs boson. (Background on mass origin in the Standard Model) - Literature on the testability and experimental constraints for discrete spacetime models and searches for variations in fundamental constants. (Relevant to predictions 1, 3, and 4) - Seth, A. K. (2021). Theories of consciousness. *Nature Reviews Neuroscience*, 22(1), 2–3. (Discusses neural correlates and theories like binding, relevant to brain analogy) - Literature on the Binding-by-Synchrony hypothesis in neuroscience. (Specific hypothesis relevant to neural analogy) - Pound, R. V., & Rebka Jr, G. A. (1960). Apparent Weight of Photons. *Physical Review Letters*, 4(7), 337–341. (Experimental verification of gravitational redshift) - Additional relevant concepts explored in theoretical physics literature: - Literature on mass as emergent from field interaction or resonance in particle physics. - Theoretical and experimental literature on harnessing zero-point energy and vacuum fluctuations (often highly speculative). - Interpretational literature on Quantum Field Theory. - Karazoupis, A. D. (2025). Complete Theory of Simplicial Discrete Informational Spacetime: Towards a Predictive and Testable Theory of Quantum Spacetime. *Preprints.org*. (Example of related work on discrete spacetime and informational perspectives) ```