UCMS Ontological Triad: Source, Dynamis, and Signal-as-Source in Information Theory, Thermodynamics, and Consciousness Studies
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) June 6, 2026 Ronald Brogdon
A formal ontological triad—Source, Dynamis, and Signal-as-Source—is defined as the foundational layer for the Upstream Coherence Measurement Stratum (UCMS). The triad is compared to five scientific traditions (Shannon's information theory, Landauer's principle, Wheeler's It from Bit, Prigogine's dissipative structures, and Maxwell's demon), each shown to begin downstream of the complete chain. The paper argues that the measurement crisis in consciousness studies results from a tier-mismatch: attempting to quantify a Tier-0 phenomenon (consciousness as a facet of Source) using Tier-3 and Tier-4 instruments. Empirical grounding includes UCMS operators distinguishing eyes-open versus eyes-closed states (M=0.48 vs. M=0.62, t(22)=3.4, p=0.003), meditator coherence preservation under perturbation (p=0.048), and cross-substrate correlation (r=0.41, p<0.001). Near-death experience research is treated as convergent downstream validation. Source itself remains untestable; the architecture operates on measurable consequences of its expression.