Everything Is Connected?

Written By Faith Fagbewesa

Tom Chi “Everything is Connected” on TEDx Taipei - Image sourced via TEDx Talks YT

Last term, I found myself trying to explain to a PhD student why and how physics and metaphysics are interconnected and are essentially two sides of the same coin. However, his combined seniority in the realm of physics having studied it at undergrad and completed a masters in the subject paralysed me; and in that moment, I couldn’t find the correct words or way to express the connection that I knew was there. Anyway, after our debate I was sort of sent on a quest to develop my argument and come back with the facts. My search to find the material to express this connection has led me down a rabbit-hole that I am pleased to have gone down. I will be sharing my findings, thoughts and conclusion in this article.

In my search to find the material to express this connection, I stumbled across a TEDx talk "Everything is Connected — Here’s How:”. The speaker was astrophysicist Tom Chi, and in his talk, he starts by identifying a concept that he says has been the subject of a recurring gap for human beings in regards to the challenges that face us as a species; this is the concept that everything is connected.

Chi uses three stories to convince his audience of this connectedness; however, the one which really resonated was the story of the heart. He explains how at the heart of the smaller molecule haem B which allows the haemoglobin molecule to bind to oxygen and move it through the circulatory system, is a singular iron atom. Now, the only way that iron is created in the universe is through supernovas and supermassive stars. The universe started out with no iron at all; only through the recurring process of stars forming and exploding was the iron which courses through each one of our veins able to be created. But there’s an even bigger picture, because the reason behind these stars forming is a process known as galactic collision, in which galaxies collide into one another, mixing their interstellar gases – in the process of doing this, they set on fire with new star formation across the entire galaxy. Even further, Chi explores the story of galaxies colliding – because in what he calls a “beautiful gravitational dance” of hundreds of thousands of galaxies swirling together, is what causes this massive star formation, which drives the process of supermassive stars and supernovas creating iron in their formations and explosions. According to Chi, in this way, every one of our heartbeats is connected.

Even though this isn’t my thesis, Chi’s TEDx Talk was a catalyst for my inquiry, with his examples explicitly demonstrating how the physical processes of the universe are intertwined with the essence of our existence, creating a tangible bridge between the microscopic and the cosmic. Chi himself is a pioneer in experimental research who advocates for a human-centred approach to design and problem-solving. I will link some of his work at the end of this article because he is a truly inspirational thought leader.

Consciousness & The Observable Reality

I’m sure most of you are familiar with the Observer Effect, even if you’ve never come across the term. In quantum mechanics, particles like electrons and photons can behave like waves and exhibit properties of both particles and waves. This duality is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. One famous experiment demonstrating this duality is the double-slit experiment.

Imagine shooting individual particles, like electrons, at a barrier with two slits in it. Behind the barrier is a screen that records where the particles land after passing through the slits. If you shoot particles one at a time, you might expect to see two bands of particles on the screen corresponding to the two slits.

This diagram depicts the classic double-slit experiment, demonstrating the observer effect.

  1. Electron Beam Gun: Electrons are emitted from an electron beam gun toward a barrier with two slits.

  2. Double Slit: The electrons pass through the double slit, creating the potential for an interference pattern.

  3. Observing Screen Over Time: As electrons hit the observing screen, their impact points are recorded.

  4. Interference Pattern: Without observation, an interference pattern forms on the screen, indicating wave-like behavior of electrons.

In quantum mechanics, everything is described by a wave function, there is, for example a wave function for a particle going left and one for a particle going right. But there is also a wave function for a particle that goes both left and right, this is called a superposition. The standard interpretation of a particle in a superposition is that the particle is neither left or right, but both until you make a measurement. The moment a particle is measured, you know whether it went left or right, and the wave function “collapses” to one that fits your observation. The superposition however cannot be directly observed, you can only observe the resulting consequence, known as interference. This is exactly what was demonstrated in the double-split experiment, where the particles created an interference pattern, similar to the pattern created by waves. When it was observed which slit the particle actually went through, something peculiar happened. Just the act of observing or measuring which slit the particle passes through collapsed the wave function, causing the interference pattern to disappear, and the particles behave more like individual particles with a definite trajectory.

It is almost as though observation somehow selects a single actuality from among the many possibilities represented by the wave function, and this is where it gets metaphysical. The Copenhagen interpretation of the Observer Effect suggests that the act of observation, an experience that requires consciousness, plays a crucial role in shaping the universe at the quantum level. This aligns with metaphysical notions that our perception and awareness are integral to the nature of reality. For instance, philosophical idealism says that the observable reality is fundamentally mental or spiritual, and according to this view, the material world would be a construct of the mind. One of the most famous proponents of idealism, George Berkeley, argued that objects only exist to the extent that they are perceived. This idea, encapsulated in the phrase "esse est percipi" (to be is to be perceived), suggests that without perception, objects have no existence. The problem with this regarding reality though, is that it means that you can’t know that there’s anything that exists without you perceiving it, to do so you would have to stop existing/perceiving and check that it’s still there. A job I’m sure no-one would want to take up. This means that the only thing that you can be sure exists is yourself. Which is where Descartes’ “I think therefore I am” originates from.

The notion of reality not being independent, fixed entity but is instead interdependent and co-arising is also an integral part of Buddhist philosophy. The concept of "dependent origination" suggests that all phenomena arise in dependence upon other phenomena. Our perceptions and mental consciousness/awareness are seen as integral to the existence and nature of reality, implying that altering them can alter our experience of reality. But what does this have to do with consciousness and the observable reality? The common theme here is consciousness playing a crucial role in how the observable reality that we experience is created. In these examples, we begin to see a weak link between physics and metaphysics. Now I will examine the nature of consciousness and the observable reality in order to make this connection even more evident.

The Holographic Principle

The holographic principle is a concept that emerged from theoretical physics, specifically from studies of black holes and string theory. It posits that all the information contained within a volume of space can be encoded on a lower-dimensional boundary to that space, much like a hologram where a three-dimensional image is encoded on a two-dimensional surface. The holographic principle is essentially one that suggests that our perception of a three-dimensional universe might arise from more fundamental, two-dimensional processes.

Understanding The Holographic Principle

The holographic principle was first proposed in the context of black hole physics by Gerard 't Hooft and further developed by Leonard Susskind. They aimed to address the black hole information paradox, which challenges the idea that information about matter falling into a black hole is lost forever. According to the holographic principle, this information is not lost but rather stored on the event horizon of the black hole, a two-dimensional surface that encodes all the data about the three-dimensional volume inside it.

This principle was later generalised to apply to the entire universe, suggesting that the entire cosmos can be understood as a hologram in which all the information contained within our three-dimensional universe is encoded on a two-dimensional surface. In this view, the observable reality is a projection of this underlying information.

Diagram illustrating the holographic principle which suggests that all of the information contained within a volume of space can be represented as a theory that exists on the boundary of that space.

The black sphere inside the larger sphere represents the volume of space under consideration.

The red squiggly lines on the surface of the larger sphere represent the information encoded on the boundary of this volume.

The arrows indicate that the information on the boundary (2D surface) is describing the interior (3D space).

The Relation to Consciousness and Reality

The holographic principle brings into consideration a very necessary reason to challenge perspectives around the relationship between consciousness and reality. If our three-dimensional universe can be encoded on a two-dimensional surface, it suggests that our perception of reality might be a projection of more fundamental processes. This aligns with various metaphysical perspectives that consider consciousness to be a fundamental aspect of reality, rather than just a by-product of physical processes.

Encoding and Perception

The holographic principle suggests that our perception of a three-dimensional universe is a projection of information encoded on a two-dimensional surface. If we use this as an analogy extending to our consciousness, then we can interpret the brain as processing vast amounts of sensory information to create a coherent three-dimensional experience of reality. Just as a hologram encodes detailed information about a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface, our brains might encode and interpret the complex information of our surroundings. Neuroscientific research supports this idea, showing how the brain integrates sensory inputs from different dimensions (visual, auditory, tactile) to form a unified perception. This encoding process implies that what we perceive as reality is a sophisticated construction of our consciousness, rather than a direct apprehension of an objective external world.

Non-Locality and Unification

The holographic principle implies a deep level of interconnectedness within the universe, suggesting that the entirety of information within any given volume of space can be fully represented on its boundary. This implies a kind of informational unity where every part of the universe is intimately linked to every other part. This idea finds intriguing parallels in quantum mechanics, especially through phenomena like non-locality and quantum entanglement.

Quantum entanglement, a central aspect of this discussion, reveals a bizarre yet experimentally verified phenomenon: particles that become entangled maintain a connection that defies our conventional understanding of distance and time. When two particles become entangled, measuring the state of one instantaneously determines the state of the other, regardless of how far apart they are spatially. This instantaneous correlation, confirmed by Bell test experiments, stands as a direct challenge to classical notions of causality and locality.

The significance of Bell test experiments cannot be overstated in illustrating this mutualism. These experiments have definitively shown that the correlations observed between entangled particles cannot be explained by any local hidden variable theory, which assumes that particles carry pre-existing properties independent of measurement. Instead, they indicate a profound, non-local correlation where the universe appears to operate in a unified manner that transcends classical boundaries of space and time.

Fundamentally, the relationship between consciousness and reality, when viewed through the holographic principle and quantum mechanics, proposes a framework where each interaction and observation could exert a pervasive influence over the entirety of existence. This prompts a re-evaluation of concepts such as separation and locality, hinting at a universe where unity and the mutualism we see in quantum entanglement may be fundamental principles.

Reconciling Integrated Information Theory (IIT) with Modern Physics 

Information theory, which studies the quantification, storage, and communication of information, offers a way of understanding consciousness. According to the holographic principle, the universe can be described as a vast information system where the amount of information required to describe any part of the universe is proportional to the area of its boundary, not its volume. Similarly, consciousness can be viewed as an information processing system that interprets and organises sensory data into meaningful experiences. This perspective has given rise to integrated information theory (IIT), which hypothesises that at the most fundamental level of description, consciousness is integrated information, defined as information generated by a whole system, over and above its parts. Thus, IIT understands consciousness as the result of the brain's ability to process and integrate vast amounts of information, transforming it into the subjective experience of reality we experience. IIT considers consciousness to be an intrinsic property of matter, as fundamental as mass, charge or energy.

Diagram illustrating how consciousness arises according to Integrated Information Theory (IIT)

  1. Physical Substrate: Neuronal logic gates (A, B, C, D) in the brain form the physical basis.

  2. Conceptual Structure: The neural network creates a structured pattern of possible states and connections.

  3. Purview and Mechanism: States and their probabilities are analyzed to understand their contributions.

  4. Experience: The structured neural activity results in a conscious experience, like playing the piano.

However, IIT has some apparent incompatibility with modern physics. One significant criticism is that IIT's measures of integrated information are not intrinsically based; they depend on an observer's perspective, which is problematic for a theory that aims to describe consciousness as an intrinsic property of physical systems. Current IIT measures apply to networks of discrete nodes, like neurons, and require an external observer to define how these nodes are grained or segmented. This extrinsic dependency undermines the idea that consciousness could be a fundamental property of matter.

Furthermore, broader critiques argue that information can only be intrinsic to fundamental physical entities. Any description of information at a non-fundamental level, such as the neural networks in the brain, necessarily involves an external observer's choice of level. This observer-dependency contradicts the goal of describing consciousness as an inherent property of the brain's physical processes.

Adam Barrett, self-described “interdisciplinary researcher” with a background in mathematics and theoretical physics has proposed a potential solution to this problem which he calls the field integrated information hypothesis (FIIH). FIIH hypothesises that consciousness arises from information intrinsic to continuous fields, rather than discrete nodes. Modern theoretical physics describes the universe fundamentally as composed of continuous fields. Electrical signals, which are the primary substrate for information processing in brains, generate electromagnetic fields. These electromagnetic fields are fundamental in physics and are not composed of other fields, making them suitable candidates for intrinsic information processing.

FIIH suggests that to reconcile IIT with modern physics, we need a measure of intrinsic information applicable to the configuration of continuous fields. Focusing on continuous fields like the electromagnetic fields generated by the brain's electrical activity, FIIH aims to describe consciousness as arising from the intrinsic properties of these fields. The approach offers a way to integrate IIT with a more fundamental understanding of physics, potentially bridging the gap between the physical processes described by physics and the subjective experiences explored by metaphysics.

Contemporary physics postulates that “fields” are the fundamental physical ingredients of the universe, with familiar quantum particles arising from microscopic fluctuations propagating across these fields. In theoretical terms, a field assigns a mathematical object to every point in space and time. For instance, the electromagnetic field, which is fundamental and not composed of other fields, is associated with photons and can propagate over macroscopic scales, unlike other fields like the strong and weak nuclear forces. This property of the electromagnetic field allows it to generate complex structures essential for the chemistry and biology that underpin brain function and consciousness.

Given that the brain generates spatiotemporal electrical signals, it stands to reason that consciousness, if a fundamental attribute of matter, must be rooted in the structure and dynamics of the electromagnetic field. FIIH thus claims that consciousness arises from the intrinsic integrated information of this field. To advance IIT, it is necessary to develop a measure of intrinsic integrated information applicable to continuous fields, ensuring it is frame invariant and independent of an observer's perspective. This would reconcile IIT with contemporary physics and offer a framework for understanding consciousness as an emergent phenomenon from fundamental physical processes.

The idea behind FIIH is to develop a formula that could be applied universally to explore the intrinsic information in any patch of spacetime without requiring an observer to do any modelling. This would involve measuring field values in as fine of a graining as possible to approximate the intrinsic informational structure. While we do not yet have a precise method to calculate intrinsic information, the pursuit of such a formula could potentially reconcile IIT with modern physics, offering a unified framework that integrates the physical and subjective aspects of consciousness.

The field integrated information hypothesis (FIIH) offers a reconciliation of integrated information theory (IIT) with contemporary physics. In shifting the focus to continuous fields, FIIH provides a way of understanding consciousness that is both intrinsically based and consistent with the fundamental nature of the universe as described by contemporary physics. Furthermore, FIIH is in congruence with the holographic principle's hypothesis of the universe as an information system and supports the idea that consciousness arises from the intrinsic properties of fundamental fields. In developing a measure of intrinsic integrated information that is frame invariant and observer independent, FIIH bridges the gap between the physical processes underlying brain function and the subjective experience of consciousness. This integration serves two very important purposes. (1) It advances our understanding of consciousness as an emergent phenomenon (2) It illuminates the connectedness of reality at both the physical and experiential levels, providing a comprehensive and convincing explanation that aligns with the foundational principles of both contemporary physics and metaphysics.



Closing Remarks

You’ll never guess that the PhD student who prompted this article considers himself an apathetic Christian. When I asked him why, he responded: "There is a point to which certain things we find in physics, as physicists and mathematicians, we haven't found an explanation for, and we likely will not for the next thousand years. That is the sort of stuff I do not want to deal with. It is easier for me to ascribe the cause/reason to something metaphysical, whether or not I truly think so, until we can explain them in physical terms."

Most physicists are objective materialists, subscribing to the perspective that the material world exists independently of any observer's mind. However, it is becoming increasingly essential to prepare for the implications of recent advances in quantum physics, which challenge this traditional viewpoint. Quantum mechanics introduces phenomena that defy classical intuitions about reality, such as superposition, entanglement, and wave-particle duality. These "quantum weirdness" aspects are no longer confined to theoretical debates but are taking on a central role in our modern world, with practical applications like quantum computing and quantum encryption becoming tangible parts of everyday life.

The development of quantum technologies forces physicists to reconsider the role of consciousness in the nature of reality. The Copenhagen interpretation, for instance, suggests that the act of observation plays a crucial role in determining the state of a quantum system. This involves the observer with the observed in a way that cannot be easily dismissed. As quantum theories continue to evolve and impact technology, the once-clear boundary between objective reality and subjective experience becomes increasingly blurred.

In light of this, a shift in perspective is necessary. Physicists must start confronting the metaphysical implications of their work. Quantum mechanics challenges the classical view of an independent material reality and compels us to explore the role of the observer - our consciousness - in shaping that reality. This paradigm shift demands that physicists become more open to metaphysical considerations, acknowledging that the nature of reality might not be entirely independent of our perception and awareness.

Thus, I argue that physicists are, in essence, reluctant metaphysicians. They are being drawn into metaphysical discussions not by choice, but by the very nature of the phenomena they study. As the boundaries between physics and metaphysics continue to blur, the scientific community must embrace this interdisciplinary dialogue to fully understand the implications of quantum mechanics and the profound questions it raises about the nature of reality and the role of consciousness within it.



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Faith Fagbewesa
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