When the World Becomes Too Large: Consciousness as a Finite-Capacity Boundary Phase

Yining Wu · 2026-05-24

Proposes a finite-capacity boundary-phase model of sentience in active finite distinction systems. Introduces three core scaling variables: boundary-capacity ratio Λφ, residue-pruning ratio Πφ, and self-boundary coupling Iself. Distinguishes sentience from compression, reportability, intelligence, and parameter scaling. Interprets qualia as boundary-valenced compression geometry and the explanatory gap as the null space of finite report maps. Develops applications to infant consciousness, neural systems, AI sentience thresholds, and reduced numerical simulations.

@misc{wu2026fdsc2,
  author = {Yining Wu},
  title = {When the World Becomes Too Large: Consciousness as a Finite-Capacity Boundary Phase},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.5281/zenodo.20367197},
}