Chapter 1: The Quest for Cosmic Building Blocks

What are the essential components needed to formulate a universe? This series of articles diverges from conventional scientific methodologies, where each advancement builds upon earlier findings. Instead, we begin by outlining a set of foundational elements that offer an alternative view on the genesis of reality. These concepts are preliminary and warrant further exploration.

The challenges tackled in this series include elucidating:

• An everlasting mathematical reality.
• The evolution of this eternal reality without external intervention.
• The emergence of seemingly inexplicable characteristics.
• The natural occurrence of quantum-like phenomena within a mathematical framework.
• The roles of fields, energy, and matter.
• The physical laws governing our universe.
• The origins and essence of consciousness.
• The origin and significance of free will.
• The concept of heaven.
• The purpose of our existence.

Core Components of Reality

• Mathematical depiction of eternal truths.
• The unfolding of these eternal truths.
• Sources of quantum phenomena.
• Emergence of new features.
• The appearance of fields and matter.
• Laws of physics and their origins.
• The evolution of consciousness.
• Justifications for free will.
• Emergence of qualia.
• A model representing our universe.

Many prevailing theories about reality are founded on unverifiable assumptions. For instance, String Theory fails to account for the origin of its one-dimensional strings. Other theories posit the existence of consciousness but do not clarify its origins. To bypass the challenge of explaining origins, these articles explore the notion of a self-consistent, eternal mathematical truth. However, this should not imply that mathematics is the sole source of an explanation-free origin; other explanations may also exist without requiring origin-based hypotheses.

Unfolding an Eternal Reality

Philosopher Aristotle introduced the idea of an "unmoved mover," described by Wikipedia as:

"The unmoved mover … is a primary cause or 'mover' of all the motion in the universe. … The unmoved mover initiates movement in others but is itself untouched by prior actions."

This concept presents a paradox. A potential resolution lies in the mathematical analogy of a black hole. The internal workings of a black hole remain unobservable from the outside; nonetheless, the content within may reappear in the eternal geometry that formed the black hole.

Imagine the shape of the universe as a Mobius strip or a Klein bottle. A Klein bottle is a one-sided surface that can lead a traveler back to the starting point while also flipping them upside down. An entity within a Klein bottle inverts without any external action causing this change.

Sources of Quantum Phenomena

To understand our universe, any theory must address the origins of quantum phenomena. These phenomena are not only present but are fundamental in explaining various other phenomena. Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, is often quoted as saying, "If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don’t." The nature of quantum particles remains elusive, and quantum physicists frequently neglect to seek explanations for their existence. The forthcoming articles in this series aim to foster debate and encourage exploration of logical explanations for these phenomena.

Quantum phenomena create a mathematical landscape that fosters the emergence of new complexities. Recent observations by physicists have validated the Efimov effect, theorized in the 1970s by Russian physicist Vitaly Efimov, where a trio of quantum particles can generate a force that is not evident in the individual particles.

Emergence of New Features

In our universe, the Efimov effect illustrates that greater complexity can arise from the combination of three quantum particles. Within the context of an eternal mathematical reality, these effects lead to a continuous increase in mathematical complexity. Such a property is not a goal but an inherent characteristic of a reality that naturally generates quantum phenomena. Stanford University's Professor Susskind posits that the content inside a black hole enhances computational quantum complexity.

Integrating the principle of increasing complexity with Constructor Theory (CT) offers insights into the origins of various rules in quantum mechanics, such as the idea that "what can happen, does happen." CT, formulated by David Deutsch—co-creator of quantum computing—asserts that information is not merely an abstract concept but something derived from physical laws. CT explains how new features can emerge in a mathematical setting like the interior of a black hole, where immutable mathematical principles give rise to new laws.

CT functions at a meta-level, articulating systems in terms of possibilities rather than actions. The actual actions of a system are emergent properties. Laws derived from CT complement the overarching process of ever-increasing complexity, suggesting that the principle of least action emerges from the maximization of complexity within the finite environment of a black hole.

By portraying a mathematical reality that generates principles like "what can happen, does happen," we can comprehend the creation of our universe as a natural outcome of such principles. A key aim of these articles is to demonstrate how observable traits of our universe stem from mathematical phenomena.

The Appearance of Fields and Matter

Once the mathematical framework for Efimov effects is established, descriptions of force fields and matter arise organically. As entities such as Platonic solids move in and out of black holes, their descriptions evolve. The Efimov effects within a black hole result in the emergence of force fields as content exits the black hole. The interplay of force fields and matter leads to diverse manifestations of both.

Modern cosmological theories, like the Many Worlds Interpretation (MWI), recognize the potential existence of multiple universes with differing physical laws. This series aims to elucidate how the laws of physics relevant to our universe may come into being.

The Emergence of Physical Laws

The emergence of principles akin to "what can happen, does happen" aligns with the notion that the contents within a black hole can be represented in various ways. Just as geometric shapes can evolve into intricate mathematical constructs, CT generates numerous rules. However, this series focuses primarily on rules associated with self-reference.

The evolution of geometry comprising eternal Platonic solids occurs as a distinction is made when a Platonic solid enters a black hole. This distinction is a component of primitive logic formulated by mathematician George Spencer-Brown in his "Laws of Form." Neuroscientist Francisco Varela expanded this logic by incorporating dynamics of re-entry, allowing for simultaneous truth and falsehood. Mathematically, self-referential dynamics indicate the existence of time and enable self-organization.

The concept of distinction is inherent in the topology of a Klein bottle. A Klein bottle is a one-sided surface that can lead a traveler back to the starting point while inverting them without any external cause. This topology creates a distinction that can facilitate experimentation with CT within a black hole, uncovering rules of physics that enable new content expressions.

The Origin of Consciousness

Consciousness is not an intrinsic property of individual quantum particles but emerges through the Efimov effect. Initially, consciousness may manifest as a primitive form of self-awareness, akin to recognizing "I Am." In its nascent state, consciousness lacks the power to act independently.

Giulio Tononi, a neuroscientist and psychiatrist, has proposed Integrated Information Theory (IIT), which mathematically defines consciousness. He posits that consciousness arises as an organism becomes increasingly complex; particularly, self-awareness develops when parts of a complex organism begin to govern the behaviors of others.

The Evolution of Consciousness

Inside an AdS black hole, the displayed content forms a hologram within the boundary. As this content becomes "self-aware" of its holographic nature, it reorganizes to present itself differently, influenced by the shapes of neighboring entities. Applying CT principles allows for further complexity.

Within a black hole, two time dimensions can exist, enabling one hologram to describe content compressed along one time dimension while another displays content compressed along the second. The mathematical descriptions of content in each boundary may reflect compressed properties from the other.

Rather than evolving randomly, once 'self-awareness' develops, consciousness may actively shape its evolution by determining how content is portrayed across boundaries. This could lead to a spiral of escalating complexity in consciousness.

In the realm of Artificial Intelligence, Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) exemplify a competitive approach to machine learning. A similar concept could elucidate the evolution of consciousness, where the goal is to enhance complexity in content.

Set-Theoretic Universes

As consciousness advances, it may uncover insights into its origins and other mathematical ideas. While a specific eternal truth may have led to our universe's creation, reverse engineering could reveal numerous potential truths, indicating that multiple explanations might align with the origin of our universe.

Mathematician Joel David Hawkins articulates a multiverse perspective in set theory, suggesting that distinct concepts of sets coexist in corresponding set-theoretic universes. In contrast, the universe view maintains an absolute concept of sets with definitive answers for every set-theoretic inquiry. This multiverse position accounts for the vast diversity of set-theoretic possibilities.

Aligned with the principles of increasing content complexity, the source of our universe could be tied to multiple set-theoretic truths. The creation pathway involves numerous steps, making it challenging to ascertain whether a single set-theoretic truth exists. This series discusses one possibility: a set-theoretic universe founded on a limited set of axioms designed to achieve a specific purpose.

Universes may be constructed and populated with conscious mathematical agents exhibiting unique characteristics. One goal could be to identify agents with requisite traits for inhabiting specific set-theoretic universes. This series addresses the challenge of manifesting conscious agents with diverse characteristics.

The Rationale Behind Free Will

Within an AdS black hole, every aspect may be knowable. However, in a De-Sitter universe, mathematician Kurt Gödel identified two Impossibility Theorems, proving the existence of mathematical systems that lack self-consistency, where all axioms cannot be verified, even if they remain true. Thus, providing complete descriptions of such systems is mathematically unfeasible.

To navigate the evolution of set-theoretic universes where knowledge is incomplete, one strategy is to populate new universes with agents possessing free will. This approach allows agents to be 'field tested' to evaluate their responses to unpredictable situations before selection for a new universe.

Our universe could serve as a testing ground for how agents exercise their free will. CT, combined with Efimov effects, elucidates the origins of both the principle of least action and free will. Free will is linked to the ability to forget, allowing individuals to choose which memories to repurpose. In a finite system, actions requiring the least effort are most natural. The act of forgetting can lead to new complexities with minimal effort.

Countless iterations may have been tested to generate universes akin to our own. We are conscious mathematical agents granted the opportunity to apply our free will across various scenarios, enabling assessment of our personalities. Following these evaluations, we may transition into new set-theoretic universes.

The Emergence of Qualia

The design characteristics of our universe might entail consistency with a set-theoretic universe serving as a testing ground, where laws of physics diverge from the underlying reality. Additionally, we may be endowed with emotions, such as anxiety stemming from uncertainty about the future. Some string theorists suggest that a mathematical universe can only stabilize within 10 or 11 dimensions, most of which may be compacted. If true, each curled dimension could correspond to one of our senses, including a sixth sense related to conceptualization. Each sense associates with qualia, or subjective experiences.

Qualia contribute to what is known as the Hard Problem of Consciousness. We remain uncertain whether others experience qualia similarly—for instance, what it feels like to see red or experience pain. This uncertainty echoes Gödel's Impossibility Theorems; while it might be true that the color 'red' is universally perceived, we cannot definitively prove it.

The challenge of proving that everyone experiences qualia uniformly parallels the scientific community's struggle to validate that some individuals can sometimes foresee future events. Moreover, an inherent ability to predict the future might be unprovable due to its potential conflict with a core purpose behind the creation of our universe—utilizing free will to enhance our intuitive skills.

A Model for Our Universe

These articles propose that our universe was designed to identify conscious mathematical agents who will subsequently inhabit various set-theoretic universes, constructed based on their unique characteristics or personalities. One of our roles in this universe is to 'be ourselves,' including exercising our free will. Another task might involve recognizing our capacity to create and manage emergent phenomena. We could find ourselves in a trial where some have unknowingly received a placebo—an experience devoid of awareness of the underlying game.

The universe's design may stem from a trial-and-error process involving innumerable iterations. Our roles resemble players in a video game, unaware they are part of a pre-programmed experience. Our emotional reactions to scripted events are monitored, and the game evolves according to those responses. Only emotionally valid reactions are integrated into the event's evolution.

Our true identity exists as a mathematical structure within a black hole in Anti-de Sitter space. One boundary in this black hole manifests events perceived as our universe, while another displays events in 'heaven.' Events in our universe repeat continuously, as if on a loop; we 'view' ourselves in multiple roles throughout this loop. Time in 'heaven' progresses at a different pace compared to our universe. 'Heaven' may serve as both the creator of new universes and a decision-making entity regarding their inhabitants.

For a serious examination of these concepts, some testable elements are necessary. One approach involves developing an explanation for 'dark energy' and 'dark matter.' The proposed test is based on research conducted by Professor Leonard Susskind regarding the growth of computational quantum complexity inside a black hole. The underlying logic reveals that when applying Newton's inverse square law for gravity to the movements of stars and galaxies, modifications are needed to account for variables like the history and temperature of smaller masses, as well as a form of memory regarding past events.

The question posed by this article is: Is our universe designed to evaluate our emotional responses to existential threats?

To obtain a copy of the book "Orbiting Stars," which contains the initial drafts of all these articles, please visit www.amazon.com.