The conditions for a functional society are no longer there




The information paradox

We are living in a society which finds itself in a death spiral (Schippers et al, 2023) largely due to false perception (¬p)(Capra, Fritjof 1991). People believe they can control complexity, or complex systems such as society, the weather, climate, geopolitics, trade or business. The best definition for society I find is the one in Dutch, ‘samenleving’ which means ‘living together’,  equivalent to Symbiosis, living together of different species with the purpose to evolve’(Margulis, Lynn1998

People do not seem to understand how nature and reality function. They have been taught in school that nature is competitive, and that survival of the fittest is key, but that is an outdated, Cartesian and destructive perception. A false perception (¬p) carries a worldview of negative social interdependence (Johnson, Johnson, 2007) in which people believe that personal competitive advantage can only be achieved if others can’t and that lying or cheating therefore is naturally condoned. It means that they are unaware or negate the significance and meaning of information. They have not learned, are unaware that information is equivalent to the required energy to do useful work. Information is not yet understood and accepted as physical, a substance, entity or a thing of significance and not just a message, a lie or an email (Campbell, Jeremy, 1982). This Baconian (Bacon, Francis 1620) of man’s ‘mastery over the world’ perception prevents people to understand that only an optimal quantity and quality of information ‘ín forms’, builds and maintains order, safeguarding non harmful functionality in living systems: natural, biological, our bodies,  flora, fauna and the universe. Less than optimal information is equal to deformation, a living system (society) is being deformed, no longer functional. 

<information=>deformation

When we observe how disinformation is used to manipulate reality into a competitive advantageous surreality, it is highly probable and physically possible that such actions turn harmful as they have and are still today. By determining the universal criteria for harmless, anthropogenic (man-made), evolutionary (in line with life) functionality, it will become demonstrable that ideological goals which depend on information deficit can’t ever be achieved. The lack of information which is equivalent to a lack of energy results in an incapacity to function. Harmful goals have been and still are being enforced causing harm to living systems. Such goals are unachievable because they lack the information (energy) needed to do the physical work. Information deficit accelerates disorder (entropy) both for the enforcer and the enforced. Entropy in the context of this article means ‘the information we don’t have or use’, a.k.a. uncertainty and disorder.

This means that the disorder in a living system accelerates, but cannot be regulated by linear control (enforcement, re; violence).

Cup of Coffee

Compare our society to a cup of coffee and add milk. At first the milk is swirling during the mixing process. It is still moving around. Soon after the milk is absorbed, blended in. The liquid changes its color from black to brown. The movement stops. This means that maximum equilibrium is reached: entropy, it means that nothing moves anymore. Entropy is universal. Our universe is on a journey (Carrol, Sean, 2023), just like the coffee cup towards maximum entropy, called a heat death in about 5-100 billion years (they don’t know). The movement of blending, the very process of changing from a black coffee to a brown coffee state, allows functionality. As long as there is movement from order to disorder, e.g. metabolism, breathing, photosynthesis, heart beating, etc. living systems remain in a living condition,  because high entropy nurture (sunlight or food) is changed into low entropy nurture (energy, oxygen) all the time. Universal entropy is being slowed down by life itself creating an enclave, a pocket of negentropy, which is the order in which life thrives. (Wiener, Norbert, 1954).

Social Entropy Theory

The work by Kenneth D. Bailey supports limitless application potential. In his book  ‘Social Entropy Theory’ (1991) he explores the relationship of the first and second law of thermodynamics with social systems which are not just physical ‘closed systems’ such as gas containers, but so called open systems. Closed systems where laws of physics apply can’t be separated from open social systems, because the same laws of nature apply to both. There is  unity, interdependence, interconnectedness, interrelatedness. Laws of nature in the form of laws of physics portray Realimiteit (the limitations of reality) which are the boundaries of and for functionality, which people have trespassed resulting in overall misery.

Social Entropy is accelerating because since 6000 years civilization (Osborne, Roger, 2007) began, man-made living systems are dysfunctional (rise and fall of empires, perpetual war, violence). This is because man is dissipating energy, unaware that optimal information is a requisite for societal living together (Samenleving). Social Entropy is progressively approaching, just like the coffee, maximum equilibrium, entropy, this means that nothing can move or works any longer. Man-made systems won’t function. This is due to the suppression of the required information?energy in an effort to escape reality. The energy to function just not be available. (? symbol for equivalence)

Cognition, according to research by Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela (1972-1980), means in short that communication is the coordination of behavior between living organisms through mutual structural coupling. Maturana and Varela found that cognition is inseparable from autopoiesis, or self-maintenance, self-preservation, in cooperation with environment for which optimal information is required.

In Social Cognition, Niklas Luhmann, sociologist argued that the basic idea of autopoiesis also applies to non-biological, social systems of communication, producing their own elements (Seidl, David, 2004)  He understood human made organisations and society as polycentric collections of interacting social systems (Monkelbaan, Joachim, 2019) through communication (i.e., cognition), and distinguished three types of social systems: 

a. interaction (conversation) 

b. organisations

c. function systems (systems of communication).

Therefore the proposed equations below, based on the ‘information deficit ? entropy’ theory (Gassner, Josef, 2019) (? symbol for per definition) can also be applied to open systems such as society, organizations, industries, products or governments i.e., all living systems of communication (Luhmann, Niklas 1979). Restricting the entry of entropy, Bailey writes, basing it on works by Orrin Klapp (1975) and Ilya Prigogine (1977); ‘although internal entropy production increases or remains constant within a system, imported entropy can be decreased by importation of energy (note: read information) from the environment, thus resulting in an overall decrease of system energy or the increase of order’.  Imported energy consists of information which reduces the uncertainty or the equivalence of increase or decrease of variety according to Ross Ashby (1957).   ‘Information is the resolution of uncertainty.’ (Shannon, Claude, 1948)

2nd Law of Infodynamics 

Melvin Vopson’s  (2023) minimal, optimal information 2nd law of infodynamics applies.  Taking entropy out of the ‘heat’ context, makes it useful for utility in social systems of communications. The accumulation of observational experiences adds to the quantity of useful information towards self-organization and emergence.  Ilya Prigogine’s theory of dissipative structures focused on nonlinear, far from equilibrium operating systems, confirms this (Capra, Luisi, 2014) . He and his colleagues were able to develop a new nonlinear thermodynamics to describe the self-organization principle in open systems far from equilibrium (e.g. applicable to society). Dissipation (re: displacement) rather than the usual expression of ‘entropy’ explains that in ‘open systems’ dissipations become a source for order.  Open systems allow the transfer of matter, energy and information across system’s boundaries from the environment. A closed system does not, because classical thermodynamics can’t describe them (Von Bertalanffy, Ludwig, 1968). The ordinary laws of thermodynamics deal with ‘waste’, while this process or phenomenon is called ‘emergence’ transforming themselves into new, emergent structures of increased complexity (evolution), a.k.a. novelty, based on the observation that dissipative structures receive their energy (information) from the outside. The relationship between increasing entropy or disorder is still valid, but their interconnectedness and interdependence can be seen in a new light. At bifurcation points (a place where one thing, or road, or question) divides into two, the system must make a choice between two possible pathways; either order or disorder, equivalent to the game of twenty questions.

Twenty Questions

Let’s play the game of 20 questions, mentioned by Carl Sagan in his series Cosmos Part 11, (1980). This is a method to quantify the information, by reducing the number of choices after each question to reach an answer, for example: ‘is it alive or not alive?’  ‘Is it an animal?’ ‘Is it big enough to see?’ ‘Does it grow on the land?’

This method of questioning is a form of information or data collection to reach a solution or find an answer to the question: ‘what is it?’ After discovering the answer, it must be interpreted by human perception through all of the human senses, not just by the brain, in order to process the information into an experience of viable reality. After each question and answer one ends up with 1 bit of information which allows one to make a choice between 2 equally probable alternatives (yes or no, 1 or 0). When one finds 2 bits of information, one can choose between 4 probable alternatives, 3 bits means 8 probable options and so on. Increasing different probabilities also increases the quantity of information and thus the prospects to finding an answer.

  Illustration I: source book ‘Information Theory’ James Stone (2015)





In twenty questions one can obtain 20 bits of information. This allows for the probable ability to narrow down the range of possible words from 1 million to one. As mentioned earlier the issue with the commonly accepted empirical scientific method is that it does not ask all the questions but limits itself to test scientifically by allowing only the use of the physical human senses like ‘sight, touch, smell, taste and sound, which are outdated, mechanistic, analytic and reductionistic[SB2]. They won’t allow ‘optimal information’ nor synthesis, which renders the results, although usable, no longer scientific due to a paradigm change in science. Hence, optimal information collection, asking the maximum number of questions (to find and choose our direction) is relevant. (Von Foerster, Heinz, 1973), 

At the University of Portsmouth  during an interview with Dr. Melvin Vopson he talked about his work on this newly proposed law of physics, he elaborated on the ‘mass-information-energy equivalence’(2019)  principle he works on. In 2021 he wrote an article; ‘Estimation of the information contained in the visible matter of the universe’ and in 2023 he published his book ‘Reality Reloaded, the scientific case for a simulated universe.’ 

He states that information is the fifth state of matter next to liquid, gas, solid and plasma, which makes information fundamental to and in all living systems. He talks about atomic and subatomic particles and that cells carry information in themselves about themselves. This suggests that information is indeed physical (Landauer, Rolf 1991), being part of all living matter and that information has mass. Vopson’s research through his perception confirms that information is indeed a substance (Wheeler, J. A. 1990) which is used by all living systems in order for them to be sustained whilst the ‘doors of perception’ (William Blake) of information is Anthropos; man. (Raine, Katleen, 1970). 

The Unified Field

Quantum particles in various forms a.k.a. atoms or subatomic elements. These are fundamental building blocks of all matter, energy and information (including us). They are not separately acting, but form a unity, a unified field which proposes itself as a unifying theory, encompassing all major theories in physics, with and through human consciousness by observation and perception (symbol ‘P’). The world is a display of information. (Hagelin, John, 2007). 

Thermodynamics

We can work with two laws of thermodynamics of closed systems by Rudolph Clausius and apply them to open systems.

a.  The energy of the universe is a constant -Energy can neither be created nor destroyed  - 1st Law

b. The entropy of the universe tends to a maximum – 2nd Law: which holds for an isolated or closed system that does not exchange energy, matter or information with its environment. Changes in entropy of the universe can never be negative. Note: what is currently being observed in the physics community is that this 2nd law of thermodynamics is allowing for negentropy (order) provided by life which slows thermodynamic entropy down by living.

Two proposed Metaphysical Equations

 

By developing two algorithms order or disorder can be demonstrated by two metaphysical equations:

P : perception is the required axiom

Introducing ‘Realimiteit’: limitations of reality

 They are to be adapted to the findings, by including

   e : information  energy, and m for matter/mass, as follows

 ¬p(m-(i  e))>r∆S

social entropy / disorder / dysfunctionality

√p(m+(i e))≤rJ

social negentropy / order / functionality

P : perception=axiom

¬ negation symbol, ¬p: false perception, m, symbol for living systems as matter/mass, i, information, equivalence symbol  e, energy, r  > beyond reality → results in, ∆S, social entropy/disorder or probability of dysfunctionality.

   √p: correct perception,  m, symbol for living systems as matter/mass, i, information, equivalence symbol, e, energy, ≤ equal to within r, reality → results in J, social negentropy/order or probability of functionality. 

Conclusion

What this entails is that the matter-energy-information trinity can’t be broken but is disturbed by man’s perception i.e., observation. The equations do not contradict Einsteins E=mc2 equation for the special relativity theory which states and expresses that energy and mass are the same physical entity and can be changed into each other.

To make this article easy to understand ask yourself this question. ‘When you cross a street and only look to the left, how far will you get?’ Information is probably THE fundamental substance which ensures non harmful functionality in all communicating living systems allowing them to evolve.

The Information Deficit Paradox: Lying to obtain the undeserved displaces the energy needed to obtain the undeserved.

At this moment in time a societal death spiral is inevitable, because the conditions for purposeful functionality (information & energy) are displaced (ignored, suppressed, gaslighted by enforcement) . However, designing a sustainable, non harmful (Society) ‘Samenleving’ is easy, all we need to use is optimal information in the form of feedback.


References

  Ashby, Ross (1958) ‘Requisite Variety and its implications for the control of complex systems’  (Online) http://pcp.vub.ac.be/Books/AshbyReqVar.pdf  
  Bacon, Francis (1620) ‘Novum Organum’ (online) available from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Bacon-Viscount-Saint-Alban 
  Baily, Kenneth D ‘ (1990) ‘Social Entropy Theory’ ISBN 0-7914-0056-5 State University of New York Press, Albany
  Bertalanffy, Ludwig von (1968) ‘General Systems Theory’ (online) available from https://www.academia.edu/38207367/Von_Bertalanffy_Ludwig_General_System_Theory (Accessed March 11, 2023)
  Campbell, Jeremy (1982) ‘Grammatical Man’ ISBN 067-1-44061-8, Simon & Schuster, New York
  Capra, Fritjof, (1984) ‘Het Keerpunt’ (The Turning Point) ISBN 90-254-6918-3 Contact, Amsterdam
  Capra, Fritjof, Luisi, Pier Luigi (2014) ‘The Systems View of Life’ ISBN 978-1-107-01136-6, Cambridge University Press
  Carrol, Sean (2023) ‘The Universe in 90 minutes: Time, free will, God, & more’ Interview (Online) available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM4sLmt1Ui8 
  Gassner, Josef, (2021) ‘Information Defizit=Entropie’ (online) available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc0V3X4p8eU 
  Hagelin, John, (2011) “Is Consciousness the Unified Field”  (online) available from: http://fora.tv/2011/10/20/John_Hagelin_is%20Consciousness_the_unified_field (
  Landauer, Rolf (1991) ‘Information is physical’ (online) available from: http://www.w2agz.com/Library/Limits%20of%20Computation/Landauer%20Article,%20Physics%20Today%2044,%205,%2023%20(1991).pdf 
  Margulis, Lynn, (1998) ‘Symbiotic Planet’ ISBN 0-46507271-2 Basic Books, New York
  Maturana, H and F. Varela (1980/1972) ‘Autopoiesis; the organization of the living’, ‘Autopoiesis and Cognition; . D. Reidel, Dordrecht Holland.
  Maturana, H and Poerkson, B (2004) ‘From Being to Doing’ (Systems View of Life) Chapter 7. ISBN 978-1-107-01136-6, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK.
  Monkelbaan, Joachim (2018) ‘Governance for Sustainable Development Goals’,  ISBN 978-981-13-0475-0 Springer Nature Singapore.(pp. 144)
  Prigogine, I, Lefever, R (1973) ‘Theory of Dissipative Structures’ (online) available from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-663-01511-6_10 
  Raine, Kathleen (1970) ’William Blake’, ISBN 0-500-2017-2, Thames and Hudson ltd.  London, 1970
Schippers, M, Ioannidis, J, Luijks, M (2023) 'Ís de samenleving verstrikt in een doodsspiraal?' Persoonlijk ontvangen van Dr. M. Schippers. (online) beschikbaar via https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4352765  
Seidl, David, (2004) ‘Luhmann’s theory of autopoietic social systems’. Munich School of Management, (online) available from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Seidl2/publication/277293382_Luhmann's_theory_of_autopoietic_social_systems/links/564db64b08aefe619b0e109f/Luhmanns-theory-of-autopoietic-social-systems.pdf 
  Shannon, Claude, (1948) ‘A Mathematical Theory of Communication’ (Online) Available from https://people.math.harvard.edu/~ctm/home/text/others/shannon/entropy/entropy.pdf
  Stone, James V. (2015) ‘Ínformation Theory’ P-11, ISBN 978-0-9563728-5-7, Sebtel Press, Amazon, Poland
  Von Foerster, Heinz (1973) ‘On Constructing a Reality, in Environmental Design and Research’, (Online) http://www.semiorganized.com/resources/other/Foerster-constructingreality.pdf 
  Vopson, Melvin (2023) ‘Reality Reloaded’ ISBN 978-1-80517-057-0, IPI Publishing, Hampshire, UK.
  Vopson, Melvin (2023) ‘Talking about Information Physics’ (online) available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HchymI0i0p8&t=270s 
  Vopson, Melvin, (2019)  ‘The Mass-Energy-Information Equivalence Principle’ (Online) Available from https://pubs.aip.org/aip/adv/article/9/9/095206/1076232/The-mass-energy-information-equivalence-principle 
  Wheeler, John Archibald (1990) ‘Information, physics, quantum, the search for links’ (Online) available from https://jawarchive.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/informationquantumphysics.pdf 




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