## The Mass-Frequency Identity (m=ω) **Matter, Energy, Information, and Consciousness as a Unified Process Ontology of Reality** **Version:** 2.1 **Date:** 2025-07-05 [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 introduces a novel **process ontology**, proposing that reality is fundamentally a dynamically **self-generating and self-organizing system**. This intrinsic, irreducible drive towards self-organization through continuous activity is termed **Autaxys**. The universe is conceptualized as a foundational, dynamic medium or substrate undergoing continuous, iterative **processing** orchestrated *by* Autaxys. Observable phenomena do not arise as static entities composed *of* substance, but as dynamic relational **patterns** *within* and *of* this fundamental medium, created and sustained by its intrinsic process. From this perspective, the universe operates as a fundamentally **computational system**, where the dynamic medium serves as the substrate, the processing represents the ongoing computation, and Autaxys is the inherent principle or engine driving and structuring this computation that generates and sustains all phenomena. A central tenet emerging directly from this process ontology and the principle of Autaxys 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 reveals a profound connection between General Relativity ($E=mc^2$) [Einstein, 1905] and Quantum Mechanics ($E=\hbar\omega$) [Planck, 1900, 1901; Einstein, 1905]. 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 and illuminated by the process ontology, asserts that in a unit system aligned with nature’s fundamental constants, a pattern’s rest mass is numerically identical to its intrinsic angular frequency. Illuminated by this process ontology and the principle of Autaxys, 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 processing frequency, specifically the Compton frequency ($\omega_C$) [Compton, 1923]. 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 orchestrated by Autaxys. 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; information and substance, discreteness and apparent continuity, are unified as inherent aspects of these patterns and the Autaxic process that sustains them. This framework offers significant explanatory power: accounting for the cosmic drive towards increasing complexity inherent in Autaxys and the mathematical elegance of physical laws, providing a conceptual bridge between GR and QM by interpreting both as descriptions of the fundamental medium’s dynamics at different scales orchestrated by Autaxys, and suggesting specific, testable predictions related to the fundamental properties of the dynamic medium and the Autaxic process. The validity of this perspective is assessed by its **comprehensive coherence**: logical consistency (self-organization/Autaxys, dissolution of paradoxes via processing within the dynamic medium), 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. The framework yields specific, potentially falsifiable predictions concerning signatures of fundamental processing granularity, detection of intrinsic medium resonances, anomalies in extreme regimes, and context-dependent variations in emergent parameters. ### 1. Introduction: Bridging Relativity and Quantum Mechanics through Energy via a Process Ontology 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, which reveals a profound, inherent relationship between mass and frequency, through the lens of a novel **process ontology** where reality is fundamentally a dynamic, **self-generating and self-organizing system** termed **Autaxys**, unfolding within a fundamental dynamic medium via continuous processing. From this perspective, the physical universe is a **computational system** where fundamental processes, driven by Autaxys, generate and sustain observable reality. #### 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 ($E_0 = m_0c^2$) [Einstein, 1905]. This perspective treats energy, in this context, as a potential for activity inherent in a stable configuration (mass). 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 $\hbar$) [Planck, 1900, 1901; Einstein, 1905]. 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 stable configurations (mass, $mc^2$) and the other in dynamic action ($\hbar\omega$)—describe a wide array of phenomena across different scales. The equivalence of these two expressions for energy suggests a deeper underlying reality that is fundamentally dynamic, which is interpreted within the framework of a process ontology driven by Autaxys as being constituted by patterns and processes *of* and *within* a fundamental computational medium orchestrated by Autaxys. #### 1.2 The Bridge Equation: $\hbar\omega_C = m_0c^2$ 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 pattern with rest mass $m_0$ existing within the fundamental dynamic medium, its rest energy is given by Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence as $E_0=m_0c^2$ [Einstein, 1905]. According to quantum mechanics, the energy associated with the intrinsic dynamics of this pattern corresponds to an intrinsic angular frequency $\omega_C$ (the Compton frequency [Compton, 1923]) such that $E_0=\hbar\omega_C$ [Planck, 1900, 1901; Einstein, 1905]. Equating these two expressions yields the fundamental “Bridge Equation”: $\hbar\omega_C = m_0c^2$ 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. The remarkable simplicity and elegance of this equation hint at a deeper, more fundamental connection between mass and frequency than is immediately apparent in standard units. #### 1.3 The Veil of Constants: $\hbar$ and $c$ as Parameters of the Dynamic Medium and Autaxys 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 ($E=\hbar\omega$). [NIST, Planck constant] $c = 299,792,458$ m/s is the universal speed limit of causality and information propagation, acting as the conversion factor between mass and energy in $E=mc^2$. [NIST, Speed of light in vacuum] 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 ($\alpha = e^2/(4\pi\epsilon_0\hbar c)$). Within a process ontology, the numerical values of $\hbar$ and $c$ are interpreted not just as artifacts of our unit choices, but more profoundly as **intrinsic scaling parameters of the fundamental dynamic medium** and the **Autaxic process** driving its ongoing computation. They define the fundamental “grammar” or operational constraints of reality’s self-organization and computation (Autaxys), acting as universal conversion factors required to translate quantities between human-defined units and the natural units where fundamental relationships are revealed. They characterize the medium’s inherent granularity ($\hbar$) and the maximum rate of interaction/propagation within it ($c$), dictated by the dynamics orchestrated by Autaxys. #### 1.4 The Power of Natural Units to Reveal Fundamental Identity 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, providing a powerful tool for exploring the core principles of a process ontology. ### 2. The Process Ontology and Frequency as the Foundation Within the framework of natural units ($\hbar=1$, $c=1$), the relationship between mass and frequency is revealed not merely as a proportionality, but as a simple, elegant identity. This identity is profoundly illuminated by a process ontology where reality is fundamentally a dynamically **self-generating and self-organizing system** (Autaxys). This identity highlights a core principle of a frequency-centric view of reality, rooted in dynamic computational processing *within and of* the fundamental dynamic medium orchestrated by Autaxys. #### 2.1 The Fundamental Dynamic Medium, Processing, and Patterns (Autaxys) A **process ontology** defines reality not based on static substance but on intrinsic, irreducible **self-generation and organization** through continuous, iterative processing. This inherent self-generation and organization is termed **Autaxys**. This processing unfolds within and of a fundamental, dynamic medium or substrate. This fundamental dynamic medium is the active substrate where ongoing processing occurs, akin to a universal computational field or substrate of information flow. The universe’s fundamental activity is this continuous computation, orchestrated by Autaxys, generating and sustaining all phenomena. Within this framework, **dynamic relational patterns** within the fundamental dynamic medium, generated and sustained by this processing, are the fundamental basis of reality. These patterns are not objects *in* the medium but stable configurations or structures *of* the medium itself, defined by the relationships and dynamics of the processing activity. They are the outputs of the Autaxic process. The principle of Autaxys provides the inherent drive and structure for the dynamic medium to process information and self-organize into these stable patterns. It is the engine and architect of cosmic computation, providing the rules and impetus for the ongoing genesis and maintenance of reality. Flowing directly from the $m=\omega$ identity and illuminated by this process ontology and the principle of Autaxys, 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 computation. These frequencies represent the rate of change, interaction, and self-maintenance of the patterns within the dynamic substrate. They are the manifestation of the Autaxic process *within* specific stable configurations. #### 2.2 Revealing the Identity: Mass and Frequency Unified ($\omega_C = m_0$) Setting $\hbar = 1$ and $c = 1$ in the fundamental energy relations derived from quantum mechanics and relativity: From quantum mechanics (Planck-Einstein relation for energy of intrinsic oscillation): $E = \hbar\omega_C \implies E = (1)\omega_C \implies E=\omega_C$ From relativity (Mass-Energy Equivalence for rest energy): $E=m_0c^2 \implies E = m_0(1)^2 \implies E=m_0$ Equating these two expressions for the rest energy of the same system immediately yields the powerful identity: $\omega_C = E_0 = m_0$ This identity, $\omega_C = m_0$ (or simply $\omega = m$ when referring to rest mass and Compton frequency in natural units), is the central revelation: in a system of units aligned with nature’s intrinsic operational parameters dictated by Autaxys, a stable physical pattern’s rest mass ($m_0$) is numerically identical to its intrinsic angular frequency ($\omega_C$). 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 and illuminated by the process ontology. 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 characteristic tempo or rate of the fundamental process orchestrated by Autaxys that defines and sustains a given stable pattern. 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 $\omega_C = m_0$ in natural units. 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, reflecting their role as fundamental scaling parameters of the underlying dynamic computational process orchestrated by Autaxys. ### 3. Physical Interpretation: Mass as a Resonant State of Fundamental Patterns The $\omega_C=m_0$ identity, viewed through the lens of a process ontology where reality is composed of dynamic patterns within and of a fundamental dynamic medium via Autaxys, 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 orchestrated by Autaxys, permeating spacetime. [Huggett & Weingard, 1994; Teller, 1995; Weinberg, 1995] #### 3.1 Resonance, Stability, and the Pattern Hierarchy The frequency $\omega_C$ in the identity $\omega_C=m_0$ corresponds specifically to the **Compton frequency** ($\omega_C = m_0c^2/\hbar$ in standard units) for a massive pattern. 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”) [Dirac, 1928]. 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 [Compton, 1923]. This provides theoretical support from established physics for the fundamental frequency-mass link posited by this perspective, finding further support in recent experimental simulations of Zitterbewegung in condensed matter systems and trapped ions [Meiron & Oron, 2015; Weinfurtner et al., 2011; Zych et al., 2011; Uhlmann et al., 2024]. 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 fundamental 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 at their specific Compton frequency within the larger medium. These stable resonant modes, favored and solidified by the process of pattern formation and stabilization orchestrated by Autaxys, are precisely what we observe as elementary particles. They are patterns favored during dynamic pattern formation due to their optimality and robustness within the constraints and grammar of the medium’s computational process, a result of ongoing Autaxic processing. The principle of Autaxys actively drives the dynamic medium to explore possible configurations and solidify those that exhibit stable, resonant self-maintenance. 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 fundamental dynamic medium, or the quantum fields that emerge from it via Autaxys, 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 ($m_0 = \omega_C$ in natural units). 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 via the Autaxic process, seeking stable resonant states. [Griffiths, 2019; Workman et al., 2022; Zenczykowski, 2015] #### 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 computational processing (Autaxys) occurs. The inherent dynamic nature of this medium naturally gives rise to what are described in QFT as fundamental **quantum fields** that permeate spacetime. [Huggett & Weingard, 1994; Teller, 1995; Weinberg, 1995] 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 [Milonni, 2019; Rocha, 2024]. This energetic vacuum state is interpreted as the fundamental dynamism of the medium itself, a manifestation of ongoing processing orchestrated by Autaxys even in apparent “emptiness.” Its properties are indirectly observable via phenomena like the **Casimir effect**, which arises from vacuum fluctuations [Casimir, 1948; Lamoreaux, 1997]. The existence of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation, often interpreted as the “afterglow” of the Big Bang, can also be seen as evidence of a pervasive, energetic background medium resulting from the fundamental Autaxic process [Penzias and Wilson, 1965]. This energetic vacuum (the fundamental dynamic medium in its baseline dynamic state) is the universal computational substrate from which everything emerges via Autaxys. Particles are interpreted as localized, quantized excitations—“quanta”—of these emergent fields or, more fundamentally, stable, specific patterns within the fundamental dynamic medium itself. [Griffiths, 2019; Workman et al., 2022; Zenczykowski, 2015] These patterns emerge dynamically from the zero-point background through Autaxys, specifically those patterns favored and solidified by the processes of selection and stabilization inherent to Autaxys. 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 through processing orchestrated by Autaxys. The origin of mass for many elementary particles, particularly through the **Higgs field** and **Higgs mechanism**, is reinterpreted within the frequency-centric process view. [Griffiths, 2019; Workman et al., 2022] Interaction with the pervasive Higgs field (understood as a specific state or configuration of the fundamental dynamic medium that strongly promotes pattern solidification and persistence through Autaxys) is seen as introducing an “impedance” or resistance 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 by the solidification-promoting dynamics of the Higgs state. Interaction with this 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. Patterns interacting more strongly with this solidification-promoting state experience greater “impedance,” resulting in higher rest mass ($m_0$) and, consequently, a higher intrinsic Compton frequency ($\omega_C = m_0$ in natural units), reflecting the increased processing (Autaxys) and persistence required to maintain their stable configuration against the dynamic backdrop of the fundamental dynamic medium. ### 4. Interactions and Emergent Phenomena Within the framework of a process ontology (Autaxys) and the frequency-centric view, the fundamental forces and the structure of spacetime are reinterpreted as emergent properties arising from the dynamics and interactions of patterns within and of the fundamental dynamic medium orchestrated by Autaxys. #### 4.1 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 via Autaxys), 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, is a description of how patterns interact by transferring modulatory information or excitation that influences the frequency, phase, or amplitude of the interacting patterns’ intrinsic processing tempo or standing waves within the fundamental dynamic medium. This transfer is a form of processing and interaction orchestrated by Autaxys, changing the state of the interacting patterns according to the underlying rules of the cosmic computation. 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), mediated by the exchange dynamics orchestrated by Autaxys. 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, stemming from the underlying computational process orchestrated by Autaxys. #### 4.2 Reinterpreting Gravity and Spacetime This framework suggests that spacetime, which emerges as a macroscopic phenomenon from the collective dynamics of the fundamental dynamic medium via Autaxys, 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 [Pound & Rebka, 1960]. In the $\omega_C=m_0$ framework, this phenomenon is a direct manifestation of gravity (understood as the curvature or configuration of emergent spacetime resulting from the collective dynamics of aggregated patterns—i.e., mass/energy, solidified by Autaxys) altering the intrinsic processing frequencies of the patterns within that region. Since mass *is* frequency ($\omega_C=m_0$ in natural units), 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 $\omega_C=m_0$ 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 within the dynamic computational medium orchestrated by Autaxys. ### 5. An Information-Theoretic Framework: Mass, Frequency, and Cosmic Computation (Autaxys) Viewing mass as a resonant frequency within a process ontology (Autaxys) leads directly to a profound information-theoretic interpretation of reality. The identity $\omega_C = m_0$ is not merely a physical equivalence but a fundamental statement about the computational nature of existence, where the fundamental dynamic medium is the substrate, the ongoing process represents the computation, and Autaxys is the principle driving it. Within this framework, dynamic relational patterns, generated and sustained by processing within and of the fundamental dynamic medium through Autaxys, 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 through fundamental computational operations inherent to Autaxys. - **Mass ($m$) as Informational Complexity**: Rest mass ($m_0$) is interpreted as a pattern’s inherent **informational complexity**. This is analogous to the concept of algorithmic complexity—the minimum amount of information or processing steps 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 (Autaxys) of the pattern, solidified by the pattern’s self-maintenance dynamics. A more complex (and thus more massive) pattern requires more information and sustained high-tempo processing (a higher Compton frequency) to maintain its structure and coherence against the inherent dynamism and potential for decay within the fundamental dynamic medium, all orchestrated by Autaxys. - **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, reflecting its fundamental computational cost of persistence via Autaxys. This interpretation yields a profound equivalence at the heart of this perspective: **Resonance (Physical Stability) $\iff$ Self-Validation (Informational Coherence)**. A stable pattern or particle is a resonant physical state where its intrinsic dynamics and oscillations are in perfect self-sustaining synchrony within the fundamental dynamic medium, driven by Autaxys. Informationally, this corresponds to perfect self-consistency and coherence, where the pattern’s structure and information content are consistently maintained by continuous processing orchestrated by Autaxys. 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 through Autaxys. The identity $\omega_C = m_0$ thus emerges as a fundamental law of cosmic computation: **A pattern’s required operational tempo (Compton frequency) is directly proportional to its informational complexity (rest 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, all mediated by Autaxys. The universe, in this view, is a vast, self-organizing computation (Autaxys), 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 inherent to the fundamental process tempo orchestrated by Autaxys. ### 6. Explanatory Power and Unification: A Frequency-Centric Process Ontology (Autaxys) This frequency-centric view of reality, rooted in a process ontology based on a fundamental dynamic computational medium and continuous processing orchestrated by Autaxys, 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 fundamental dynamic medium and the principle of Autaxys. Stagnation is an unstable state within this self-generating system, compelling the medium to continuously generate and stabilize increasingly complex configurations (patterns) via continuous processing orchestrated by Autaxys. The mathematical elegance and robustness frequently observed in physical laws are accounted for by the tendency towards stable, optimal patterns within the processing dynamics. 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, a result of the optimization inherent in Autaxys. Emerging directly from the process ontology (Autaxys) 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 orchestrated by Autaxys 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 via Autaxys) and $E=\hbar\omega$ (energy quanta as fundamental oscillations/activity within the fundamental medium arising from ongoing processing) yields the “Bridge Equation”: $m_0c^2 = \hbar\omega_C$. Within this process ontology, this reveals a deeper **ontological identity**: rest mass *is* frequency ($m_0 \propto \omega_C$), 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 computational process orchestrated by Autaxys 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) solidified by Autaxys. It is the observable outcome of countless discrete processing steps inherent in Autaxys 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. [Huggett & Weingard, 1994; Teller, 1995; Weinberg, 1995] 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 computational processes orchestrated by Autaxys that give rise to that aggregate behavior. The framework dissolves the traditional discrete/continuous divide by proposing that Reality advances via fundamental, discrete computational steps inherent to Autaxys. 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 (zero-point energy, orchestrated by Autaxys). [Milonni, 2019; Rocha, 2024] Dark energy can be interpreted as the cosmological expression of the underlying dynamism driving the overall expansion and diversification of reality (Autaxys), 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 solidified by Autaxys) [Workman et al., 2022; Zenczykowski, 2015] 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 specific dynamics that constitute standard model interactions, potentially representing patterns solidified by different aspects of the fundamental dynamic medium’s dynamics through Autaxys. 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 and low solidification within the fundamental dynamic medium) to resolve and conform to the persistent, solidified patterns of the measuring apparatus (a system characterized by specific solidified configurations maintained by Autaxys), with the collapsed state being guided towards a stable outcome possible in the local configuration of reality according to the fundamental process rules inherent in Autaxys. See also [Karazoupis, 2025; Tee & Davies, 2025] for related work on discrete spacetime and informational perspectives. ### 7. Analogies and Broader Implications: Frequency as a Universal Principle This frequency-centric model of reality, grounded in a process ontology (Autaxys) 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 orchestrated by Autaxys, applicable from the most fundamental level of physics all the way up to complex cognition, hinting at a deeper, possibly computational, structure to reality. #### 7.1 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 [Buzsáki, 2006; Seth, 2021]. 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 [Singer, 1993; Sperling et al., 2017; von der Malsburg, 1981]. This concept of binding by synchrony in the brain is strikingly analogous to how pattern stability is understood in the frequency-centric view of a process ontology. A fundamental particle, interpreted as a coherent entity, is a solidified pattern whose underlying dynamics are “bound” together and maintained by **resonance**—a state of perfect, self-sustaining synchrony of its intrinsic processing dynamics at the Compton frequency within the fundamental dynamic medium, orchestrated by Autaxys. 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 medium, all orchestrated by Autaxys. Both stable physical entities and coherent cognitive states appear to rely fundamentally on synchronous oscillatory activity and frequency-based information processing. #### 7.2 Frequency as the Universal Code The parallel between the $\omega_C = m_0$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 fundamental dynamic medium undergoing continuous processing orchestrated by Autaxys, 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 orchestrated by Autaxys. 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 in the cosmic computation (Autaxys). ### 8. 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 orchestrated by Autaxys. 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. **8.1. Signatures of Fundamental Processing Granularity:** The process ontology (Autaxys) posits that reality advances via fundamental, discrete steps (“computational ticks”) inherent to the dynamic medium’s processing tempo. This discrete, computational nature, driven by Autaxys, is a core, falsifiable prediction. The framework predicts subtle, measurable deviations from perfectly continuous behavior at the most fundamental scales, arising from this inherent granularity of the Autaxic process. These could manifest as characteristic noise spectra or subtle non-linearities in the evolution of highly isolated quantum systems, particularly those minimally interacting with their environment, or deviations in coherence and decoherence rates not fully predicted by current continuous models. Searching for these predicted signatures of underlying discreteness in high-precision quantum experiments (e.g., refining measurements in quantum optics, condensed matter systems, precision atomic physics, or potentially in experiments involving highly controlled vacuum states) offers a potentially falsifiable prediction unique to models proposing a fundamental computational substrate operating with discrete updates orchestrated by Autaxys. [Karazoupis, 2025; Tee & Davies, 2025; Vidick & Vazirani, 2016] **8.2 Detection of Intrinsic Medium Resonances/Relational Harmonics:** The fundamental dynamic medium itself is proposed as an active, oscillating substrate from which emergent fields and patterns arise via the self-organizing Autaxic process. As such, it is predicted to possess its own set of fundamental resonant frequencies and modes, reflecting its intrinsic operational harmonics and the “grammar” of Autaxys. These predicted fundamental medium resonances are distinct from particle resonant states (like the Compton frequency). The framework suggests experimental efforts should search for specific, characteristic background frequency signatures corresponding to these *medium* resonances in high-precision experiments. Potential avenues include utilizing advanced atomic clocks [Marion et al., 2003; Reynaud et al., 2022], high-resolution spectroscopy searching for subtle background frequency signals, analyzing cosmological background measurements (e.g., seeking unique features in the spectrum of primordial gravitational waves or potential phase transitions of the fundamental medium), or employing advanced gravitational wave detection techniques sensitive to very high-frequency modes potentially related to the medium’s intrinsic oscillations. Detecting such intrinsic medium resonances would offer a direct experimental window into the universe’s native computational tempo and underlying resonant structure, providing evidence distinct from theories positing only particle or field excitations and supporting the concept of the medium as a dynamic, resonant substrate driven by Autaxys. **8.3 Anomalies in Extreme Regimes Challenging Process Dynamics:** In physical regimes that significantly stress the fundamental discrete operations and 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 [Milonni, 2019; Rocha, 2024], inertial mass (as pattern persistence solidified by Autaxys), 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 (Autaxys) 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 specifically tied to the limits of discrete processing distinguish this model from those assuming unbroken continuity. [Karazoupis, 2025; Tee & Davies, 2025] **8.4 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 computational process orchestrated by Autaxys. 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 via Autaxys, 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 across all contexts. [Marion et al., 2003; Reynaud et al., 2022] These concrete, uniquely falsifiable predictions, directly linked to the fundamental discrete generative process (Autaxys) 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. ### 9. 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** (Autaxys) instantiated within a fundamental dynamic medium, where mass is fundamentally equivalent to its Compton 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 orchestrated by Autaxys, the proposed resolution of fundamental paradoxes via processing within the fundamental 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 $\omega_C = m_0$ 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 orchestrated by Autaxys 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 $\omega_C = m_0$ 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 (i.e., signatures of fundamental processing granularity, detection of intrinsic medium resonances, anomalies in extreme regimes, 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 (Autaxys)**. --- **References** This section lists foundational texts, key scientific papers, and relevant areas of current research that provide context and support for the concepts discussed in this document. - Buzsáki, György. *Rhythms of the Brain*. Oxford University Press, 2006. - 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). - Compton, A. 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