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Cohesion Dynamics (CD)

Cohesion Cohesion Dynamics: Foundational Ontology and Postulates (Preprint v1.0)

Author: Darrell Tunnell
Draft v1.0 — Foundations Paper

Cohesion Dynamics: Foundational Ontology and Postulates

Preprint v1.0 (Safe Priority Version)

Author: Darrell Tunnell

Date: 2025

Purpose of This Document This preprint establishes priority for the core conceptual framework of Cohesion Dynamics, including the ontology, definitions, and foundational postulates.

This version intentionally excludes advanced unpublished machinery such as:

  • substrate mechanics update laws,
  • informational action formalism,
  • cycle quantisation derivations,
  • field equations for τ or σ,
  • horizon dynamics,
  • detailed mismatch propagation rules.

These appear in forthcoming technical papers.

Abstract

Cohesion Dynamics is a substrate-independent theoretical framework proposing that physical reality emerges from the behaviour of informationally cohesive regions embedded in a finite-information substrate. These regions maintain internal consistency through discrete coherence cycles governed by mismatch constraints. A minimal ontology is introduced, including configuration space Ω, mismatch functional M, constraint graphs C, and a local coherence-time field τ(x). A three-component tolerance vector W = (W_τ, W_σ, W_θ) is identified as the structural limit of cohesive stability, enabling the emergence of temporal, spatial, and orientational relations. No assumptions are made about the physical substrate; instead, the theory treats the observed laws of physics as consequences of a minimal “base interface” that any viable universe must implement in order to support causality, cohesion, and cognition.

1. Introduction

Cohesion Dynamics begins from the observation that physics exhibits:

  • stable, reusable structures (atoms, molecules, organisms),
  • causal relationships,
  • coherent regions that resist perturbation, and
  • discrete, quantised interactions.

These features strongly suggest that physical reality arises from a deeper informational substrate that supports stability, error correction, and structured evolution. Instead of proposing a specific microphysical substrate, Cohesion Dynamics describes the interface that any such substrate must expose in order to produce spacetime, matter, and cognition.

This document defines the minimal ontology and postulates necessary for such an interface. Subsequent papers introduce substrate mechanics, concrete derivations (such as the hydrogen cycle time τ(H)), emergent geometry, horizons, and gravitational behaviour.

2. Ontological Framework

The ontology describes the abstract mathematical objects used throughout Cohesion Dynamics. These represent the interface between any substrate and emergent physical phenomena.

2.1 Substrate Σ

Σ denotes the underlying informational substrate. Nothing is assumed about its microscopic structure. Σ is not embedded in spacetime; rather, spacetime emerges from relations defined over Σ.

2.2 Configuration Space Ω

Ω is the set of all informationally coherent configurations: [ Ω = { X ,|, X \text{ satisfies substrate constraints} }. ] Each (X \in Ω) encodes a complete relational state.

2.3 Microconfigurations and Macrostates

  • A microconfiguration is an element of Ω.
  • A macrostate S is an equivalence class of microconfigurations differing only by small mismatch.

3. Constraint Structure

Physical systems are represented as constraint graphs: [ G = (V, E), ] where nodes V represent local regions or degrees of freedom, and edges E represent informational constraints (e.g., Coulomb-like relations, adjacency, orientation, symmetry).

These graphs describe how mismatch propagates and how cohesive regions maintain internal order.

4. Mismatch Functional M

Mismatch measures how inconsistent two configurations are: [ M : Ω \times Ω \to \mathbb{R}_{\ge 0}. ] Key properties:

  • non-negative,
  • local decomposition,
  • zero only for identical states,
  • induces adjacency and allowed transitions.

Mismatch is central to all dynamical behaviour in future papers. Here we only define it, without specifying update rules.

5. Phase Functional Θ

A configuration carries a phase-like quantity: [ Θ : Ω \to S^1, ] which accumulates along allowed transitions. This is a primitive that later connects to coherence cycles, but no physical interpretation is required at this stage.

6. Coherence Cycles and τ(x)

A cohesive region R maintains its integrity by undergoing discrete coherence cycles. The local cycle duration τ(x) measures how long it takes for internal constraints to reconcile mismatch and stabilise.

At this stage, τ(x) is taken as a primitive associated with each cohesive region. No substrate evolution law or derivation is provided here; these appear in forthcoming papers.

7. Tolerance Vector W

Cohesive regions have finite stability. The tolerance vector: [ W(x) = (W_τ(x), W_σ(x), W_θ(x)) ] defines three independent mismatch thresholds:

  • W_τ: temporal tolerance (update latency deviations)
  • W_σ: spatial/structural tolerance (coherence bandwidth limits)
  • W_θ: orientational tolerance (phase/orientation stability)

These thresholds determine when a region undergoes divergence, a process that later papers show underlies horizons and manifold emergence.

8. Postulates of Cohesion Dynamics (Foundational Version)

  1. Finite Information: The substrate supports a finite-resolution configuration space Ω.
  2. Constraint Structure: Systems are cohesive regions defined by constraint graphs.
  3. Mismatch Metric: Transitions carry mismatch cost M.
  4. Coherence Cycles: Cohesive regions evolve through discrete cycles with duration τ(x).
  5. Finite Propagation: Constraint signals propagate at finite speed c.
  6. Three Tolerances: Divergence occurs when mismatch exceeds one component of W.
  7. Substrate Independence: Only the interface (Ω, M, constraints, τ, W) is observable; the underlying substrate may vary.

These postulates suffice to motivate all subsequent mathematical development.

9. Motivation and Rationale

Cohesion Dynamics argues that any universe supporting causality, constructors, and cognition must satisfy certain constraints:

  • Discreteness is necessary for stable information and error correction.
  • Constraint-based structure enables reusable coherent systems.
  • Cycle-based evolution gives rise to temporal ordering.
  • Finite tolerance leads to horizons, locality, and geometric structure.
  • Substrate independence explains why we observe relational laws rather than hardware-specific details.

These principles collectively motivate the ontology above, without yet specifying dynamics.

10. Scope of This Preprint

This safe-priority version excludes:

  • the definition of informational action,
  • cycle quantisation rules,
  • derivations of τ(H),
  • τ-field or σ-field equations,
  • horizon mechanics,
  • any quantitative predictions.

These appear in:

  • Paper A: Substrate Mechanics / Base Interface,
  • Paper B: Hydrogen Derivation,
  • Papers C–F: Geometry and Gravity.

This ensures no sensitive details are disclosed before formal publication.

11. Conclusion

This document states the foundational ontology and postulates of Cohesion Dynamics. It serves as the conceptual basis for later technical developments while providing a clear, timestamped record of priority for the theoretical framework.

Future work will formalise substrate evolution, mismatch-action dynamics, emergent geometry, horizons, and the link between τ, σ, W, and observable physics.

Acknowledgements

The author thanks ongoing collaborators, informal reviewers, and discussions that shaped these concepts.

End of Preprint v1.0