A New Paradigm Proposed: The Theory of Entropicity

The Theory of Entropicity (ToE) is a brilliant and emerging conceptual framework in theoretical physics that posits entropy as a fundamental, dynamic, and field-like entity that governs physical phenomena ranging from cosmology to consciousness.[1][2][3] This perspective marks a departure from the traditional view of entropy as a statistical measure of disorder or unavailable energy in a system.[4][5] The theory is primarily attributed to researcher John Onimisi Obidi.[1][6]

At its core, the ToE suggests that entropy's flow, generation, and irreversibility are the ultimate drivers of physical processes.[1] This framework aims to unify various areas of physics by treating entropy as a foundational element.

Core Concepts of the Theory of Entropicity

Several key ideas have been proposed within the Theory of Entropicity:

• Entropy as a Fundamental Field: The ToE proposes that entropy is not merely a property of systems but a physical field, referred to as the "Entropic Field."[7] This field is suggested to shape the structure and evolution of physical systems, with all known forces, including gravity, emerging as constraints on its flow.[2][7]

• Entropic Gravity: In this view, gravity is not a fundamental force or a consequence of spacetime curvature, as in Einstein's General Relativity, but rather an emergent phenomenon arising from entropy-driven constraints.[7] The theory suggests that the maximization of entropy and the redistribution of information are the underlying principles of gravitational interactions.[7]

• Self-Referential Entropy (SRE) and Consciousness: The ToE introduces the concept of "Self-Referential Entropy" (SRE) to address the nature of consciousness. It posits that conscious systems have an internal entropy structure that refers to itself.[1][2] An "SRE Index" is proposed to quantify the degree of consciousness based on the ratio of a system's internal to external entropy flows.[2]

• The Entropic Seesaw Model: To explain quantum phenomena like entanglement and wave function collapse, the ToE puts forward the "Entropic Seesaw Model."[6] This model analogizes two entangled quantum systems to the ends of a seesaw connected by an "entropic bar," which represents the entropy field. The collapse of the wave function is then envisioned as occurring when a critical entropy threshold is crossed.[6]

• New Proposed Principles: The framework also introduces new principles such as the "No-Rush Theorem," which posits a universal lower bound on the duration of interactions, asserting that physical processes cannot happen instantaneously.[8][9]

Proposed Applications and Implications

The proponents of the Theory of Entropicity suggest it could have applications in various fields:

• Entropic Engineering and Safety: This involves designing systems that are resilient to entropy gradients and defining risk based on a system's vulnerability to the entropic field.[3]

• Quantum Information and AI: The theory's principles are suggested to have applications in quantum information theory and the design of artificial intelligence architectures.[8][9]

• Clinical Biomarkers: The concept of SRE is proposed as a potential source for developing clinical biomarkers of consciousness.[8][9]

Current Status of the Theory of Entropicity (ToE)

The Theory of Entropicity (ToE) is a recent and speculative proposal within the scientific community. While it represents a groundbreaking framework, it has yet to undergo experimental verification and complete acceptance that are characteristic of established scientific theories like General Relativity (GR) and Quantum Field Theory (QFT). The concepts and mathematical formalisms of the Theory of Entropicity (ToE) are still in their development phases.

The "No-Rush Theorem" of the Theory of Entropicity (ToE)

The "No-Rush Theorem" is a core principle within the speculative framework of the Theory of Entropicity (ToE).[1][2] This theory, primarily attributed to researcher John Onimisi Obidi, proposes that entropy is a fundamental, dynamic field that drives all physical processes.[1][3][4] The No-Rush Theorem emerges from this central idea, asserting that no physical interaction can happen instantaneously.[2][5]

Core Principles of the No-Rush Theorem:

The theorem is colloquially summarized as "Nature cannot be rushed."[2][5][6] It mandates that every physical process must have a finite, non-zero duration.[5] This stands in contrast to some models in traditional physics that can assume instantaneous interactions for certain calculations.[1][7]

According to the Theory of Entropicity, interactions between physical systems occur through the exchange or redistribution of entropy.[5] This can happen via informational currents or microscopic reconfigurations.[5] The No-Rush Theorem posits that because these processes involve the dynamics of a fundamental "entropic field," they cannot occur in zero time.[1][5][7]

Key Aspects:

• Minimum Interaction Time: The theorem establishes a minimum time for any physical interaction to take place.[1][2]

• Finite Duration of Processes: Every process, from the quantum to the cosmological level, is required to unfold over a non-zero period.[5]

• Entropic Field Dynamics: The necessity of a finite duration for interactions is attributed to the nature of the proposed entropic field.[1][7]

Proposed Implications:

The No-Rush Theorem, should the Theory of Entropicity gain wider acceptance and verification, would have significant implications across various fields of physics:

• Quantum Mechanics: It could provide a new perspective on phenomena like wave function collapse and decoherence, where quantum systems lose their coherence through entropy-driven processes.[1][3] The theory predicts a decoherence rate in open quantum systems that is proportional to the norm of the interaction operator.[3][4]

• Gravity and Causality: The theorem's proponents suggest it could reshape our understanding of gravity and the fundamental nature of causality.[1][5][7]

• The Arrow of Time: By placing a fundamental limit on the speed of interactions, the theorem is inherently linked to the directionality of time.[1][7]

These concepts are part of an ongoing research effort by the global physics community to develop a more unified framework in modern theoretical physics.

Summary of the Key Concepts of the Theory of Entropicity (ToE)

In brief, we take note of the following about the Theory of Entropicity (ToE):

1. The Entropic Field is Not Instantaneous

At the heart of the Theory of Entropicity is the idea that entropy isn't just a calculated property of a system (like its temperature or pressure), but a real, physical, and dynamic field that permeates all of spacetime. A key characteristic of this proposed "entropic field" is that its influence and changes are not instantaneous. Just as the electromagnetic field propagates at the speed of light, the entropic field is theorized to have its own dynamics that take time to unfold.

2. All Interactions Occur "Inside" This Field

The ToE goes a step further by proposing that this entropic field is the fundamental arena in which all other physical interactions take place. Instead of viewing forces like gravity, electromagnetism, and the nuclear forces as separate, fundamental entities, the theory recasts them as emergent phenomena or constraints on the behavior of this primary entropic field.

Think of it like this: if you have a large, stretched rubber sheet (representing the entropic field), any action on that sheet—like pressing down on it—will create ripples and effects that travel outwards. The action isn't felt everywhere on the sheet at the exact same moment.

3. Therefore, Interactions Cannot Be Instantaneous

This is the logical conclusion of the first two points, and it's precisely what the No-Rush Theorem encapsulates.

If:

• An interaction like gravity is fundamentally a process of entropic exchange or redistribution within the entropic field,

• And the entropic field itself cannot change or convey information instantaneously,

Then:

• It logically follows that the interaction (gravity) cannot be instantaneous either.

According to the ToE, for a gravitational interaction to occur between two objects, there must be a flow or reconfiguration of entropy in the field that connects them. This process, by the very nature of the proposed field, requires a finite, non-zero amount of time. The No-Rush Theorem formalizes this by stating that every physical process must have a minimum duration.

In essence, the Theory of Entropicity suggests that the reason "action at a distance" isn't instantaneous is because the underlying medium of that action—the entropic field—has its own built-in, non-instantaneous rules of behavior. All of the universe's fundamental forces are essentially "slaves" to the dynamics of this all-encompassing entropic field, and are therefore bound by its inherent "no-rush" principle.

It is crucial to remember that this is still an evolving theory and is yet to be experimentally verified.  Nonetheless, it represents a novel way of conceptualizing physical reality, even though it remains a theoretical proposal at this stage.

This entry is adapted from: https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2025-hmk6n