Introducing Substrate Collapse Theory: A New Structural Framework for Consciousness and Human Function

Over the past several years, my work has been dedicated to a simple but far-reaching question: What if human identity is not an ontological constant, but a structural phenomenon — a provisional compression artifact within deeper architectures of consciousness?

Today, I’m honored to formally share the first public release of that work:

Substrate Collapse Theory —a new theoretical framework proposing that identity is a metastable, predictive, and energetically costly artifact, subject to lawful collapse under systemic strain.

Drawing upon emerging research in predictive coding, thalamocortical dynamics, dynamic systems theory, and consciousness studies, Substrate Collapse Theory reframes the phenomenon of selfhood —not as an essence, but as a temporary stabilization strategy rooted in recursive compression.

When the energetic and informational demands of sustaining identity exceed the system’s capacity, collapse occurs —not as a failure, but as a lawful structural transition back into distributed, field-resonant coherence.

In this post-collapse state, cognition, perception, and relational engagement reorganize dynamically through field alignment, rather than narrative self-construction.

Substrate Collapse Theory offers:

• A structural explanation for identity persistence and collapse dynamics,

• A post-identity clinical architecture (Identity Collapse Therapy and Identity Integration Collapse),

• A new ethical standard for collapse governance (Locked Ethical Collapse Transmission),

• A research horizon for neuroscience, consciousness studies, and relational AI systems.

This work invites researchers, clinicians, and technologists into a new paradigm —one where human functioning beyond selfhood is not a mystery, but a coherent, lawful transition.

The full preprint is now available through PsyArXiv:

Read the full paper here → Substrate Collapse Theory on PsyArXiv

I welcome serious engagement, thoughtful inquiry, and collaboration as we move forward into the unfolding horizon of post-identity structural understanding.

The time for the next evolution of consciousness studies has arrived.

Thank you for walking this edge with me.

— Don Gaconnet

If you would like to engage in dialogue, propose collaborations, or discuss potential research opportunities related to Substrate Collapse Theory, reach out.