Where are the bits in atoms? A perspective on the physical origin and evolutionary nature of information
<|reference_start|>Where are the bits in atoms? A perspective on the physical origin and evolutionary nature of information: This manuscript proposes a conceptual hypothesis regarding the ontology of information, which can serve as a foundation for future empirical exploration and theoretical development. Starting from the premise that information consists of a structural pattern of matter and analysing the current understanding of the evolution of structures and complexity in the universe, we propose to redefine information as a physical structure capable of evolving and driving complexity across multiple layers of self-organization - biological, cultural, civilizational, and cybernetic. The perspective highlights how information structures replicate, vary, and evolve across different domains, speculating on the emergence of a cybernetic layer where machines could evolve autonomously. This interdisciplinary framework challenges traditional views of information and encourages further research into its role in shaping the structures of the universe, offering a new perspective on the evolution of complexity across both natural and artificial systems.<|reference_end|>
@article{van der wijngaart2024where,
    title={Where are the bits in atoms? A perspective on the physical origin and
  evolutionary nature of information},
    author={Wouter van der Wijngaart},
    journal={arXiv preprint arXiv:2407.09567},
    year={2024},
    archivePrefix={arXiv},
    eprint={2407.09567},
    primaryClass={q-bio.NC cs.IT math.IT physics.hist-ph}
}