From Post 816: Perspective determines observable reality
Now: Observation isn’t physical propagation - it’s computational imagination
Key shift: Each node computes/maintains its own universe map based on network position
No hardcoded c. Observable = what node can compute/imagine from its perspective.
Old thinking (physical):
# Post 816 approach
class Perspective:
def observe(self, universe_state):
"""What physically reaches this node"""
visible = {}
for entity in universe_state:
# Physical propagation limit
distance = self._distance(entity.position)
time_delay = distance / c # Hardcoded light speed!
if time_delay <= entity.age:
visible[entity] = entity
return visible
Problem: Hardcodes physical c, assumes propagation through space.
New thinking (computational):
class Perspective:
def __init__(self, node_id):
self.node_id = node_id
self.universe_map = {} # This node's computed imagination
self.network_position = None
self.computation_capacity = None
def compute_observable(self, network_topology):
"""
What can this node compute/imagine?
Not: What physically reaches it
But: What it can model from network position
"""
observable = {}
for other_node in network_topology.nodes:
# Can this node compute/imagine other_node's state?
if self.can_model(other_node, network_topology):
# Add to universe map (imagination)
observable[other_node.id] = self.compute_state(other_node)
# This is node's "imagination" of universe
self.universe_map = observable
return observable
Key difference:
Physical: "What reaches me?"
Computational: "What can I imagine/compute?"
Physical: Limited by c
Computational: Limited by network topology + computation capacity
Physical: Passive reception
Computational: Active modeling
The insight:
# Universe doesn't exist as single ground truth
# Each node computes its own universe map
# "Reality" = collection of all node imaginations
class Node:
"""
Node with computational perspective
"""
def __init__(self, node_id):
self.id = node_id
self.universe_map = {} # My imagination of universe
self.local_state = {} # My actual state
self.connections = [] # Edges to other nodes
def compute_universe_map(self, network):
"""
Compute/imagine universe from my perspective
This is active computation, not passive observation
"""
# Start with self
self.universe_map[self.id] = self.local_state
# Compute states of connected nodes
for neighbor in self.connections:
if self.can_reach(neighbor, network):
# Imagine neighbor's state
imagined_state = self.imagine_state(neighbor)
self.universe_map[neighbor.id] = imagined_state
# Compute states of nodes at distance 2
for neighbor in self.connections:
for neighbor2 in neighbor.connections:
if self.can_reach(neighbor2, network):
imagined_state = self.imagine_state(neighbor2)
self.universe_map[neighbor2.id] = imagined_state
# Continue until computation limit reached
# OR network topology doesn't allow further reach
return self.universe_map
Key properties:
Not physical distance. Network structure.
def can_model(self, target_node, network):
"""
Can this node compute/imagine target node?
Depends on:
1. Network topology (connectivity path)
2. Computation capacity (resources)
3. Data availability (information flow)
"""
# Check 1: Network path exists?
path = network.find_path(self, target_node)
if not path:
return False # Not connected in network
# Check 2: Path length within computation range?
if len(path) > self.max_computation_depth:
return False # Too far in network topology
# Check 3: Sufficient data to model?
required_data = self.estimate_data_needed(target_node)
available_data = self.get_available_data(target_node, network)
if available_data < required_data:
return False # Insufficient information
# Can model!
return True
Examples:
# Node A directly connected to Node B
node_A.can_model(node_B, network)
# → True (direct connection, easy to imagine)
# Node A connected to B, B connected to C
node_A.can_model(node_C, network)
# → Maybe (depends on computation capacity)
# Node A and Node Z in different network clusters
node_A.can_model(node_Z, network)
# → False (no path in network topology)
Physical observation (old):
# Passive - wait for photons to arrive
def observe_physical(entity):
light_from_entity = wait_for_photons(entity)
return process_light(light_from_entity)
Computational imagination (new):
# Active - compute what entity must be like
def imagine_computational(entity, network):
"""
Don't wait for information to arrive
Compute what entity state should be
Based on network position and relationships
"""
# Gather available data
local_data = get_data_from_connections(entity)
# Compute likely state
if has_direct_connection(entity):
# High confidence imagination
imagined_state = compute_from_direct_data(local_data)
else:
# Lower confidence - must infer through network
imagined_state = infer_from_indirect_data(local_data, network)
return imagined_state
The difference:
Physical: Photon travels → Node receives → Node observes
Computational: Node computes → Node imagines → Node "observes"
Physical: Reality → Observation
Computational: Computation → Reality
Physical: Universe first, observation second
Computational: Observation creates universe (per node)
From Post 816, the problem:
time_delay = distance / c # c = 299,792,458 hardcoded!
New approach:
def compute_information_delay(source_node, target_node, network):
"""
How "far" is target in computational terms?
Not physical distance / c
But network hops + computation time
"""
# Network topology distance
path = network.find_path(source_node, target_node)
network_distance = len(path)
# Computation time per hop
computation_time = network_distance * time_per_hop
# Information delay emerges from network structure
# Not from hardcoded physical constant
return computation_time
# If nodes happen to compute at certain rate,
# and network has certain topology,
# emergent "speed limit" might appear
# But it's not fundamental - it's emergent from structure
Emergent properties:
class EmergentProperties:
"""
What emerges from computational perspective
"""
def measure_apparent_speed_limit(self, network):
"""
Network might have emergent "speed limit"
Based on:
- Node computation rates
- Network topology
- Information propagation patterns
NOT fundamental constant
"""
# Measure how fast information spreads
propagation_times = []
for node_pair in network.sample_pairs():
time = compute_information_delay(node_pair[0], node_pair[1], network)
distance = network_hops(node_pair[0], node_pair[1])
propagation_times.append(time / distance)
# Average gives emergent "speed"
emergent_speed = sum(propagation_times) / len(propagation_times)
# This might look like "constant"
# But it's emergent from network structure
# Change network → changes "constant"
return emergent_speed
Network setup:
# Network with 5 nodes
network = Network()
node_A = Node('A')
node_B = Node('B')
node_C = Node('C')
node_D = Node('D')
node_E = Node('E')
# Connections (edges)
network.connect(node_A, node_B)
network.connect(node_B, node_C)
network.connect(node_C, node_D)
network.connect(node_A, node_E)
# Topology:
# E
# /
# A - B - C - D
Node A’s universe map:
node_A.compute_universe_map(network)
# Result:
node_A.universe_map = {
'A': {...}, # Self (complete knowledge)
'B': {...}, # Direct connection (high confidence)
'E': {...}, # Direct connection (high confidence)
'C': {...}, # Distance 2 (medium confidence)
'D': {...}, # Distance 3 (low confidence)
}
# Node A can imagine all nodes
# But confidence decreases with network distance
Node D’s universe map:
node_D.compute_universe_map(network)
# Result:
node_D.universe_map = {
'D': {...}, # Self (complete knowledge)
'C': {...}, # Direct connection (high confidence)
'B': {...}, # Distance 2 (medium confidence)
'A': {...}, # Distance 3 (low confidence)
'E': {...}, # Distance 4 (very low confidence)
}
# Node D can imagine all nodes
# But Node E is far in network topology
# So imagination of E is low confidence
Node E’s universe map:
node_E.compute_universe_map(network)
# Result:
node_E.universe_map = {
'E': {...}, # Self (complete knowledge)
'A': {...}, # Direct connection (high confidence)
'B': {...}, # Distance 2 (medium confidence)
'C': {...}, # Distance 3 (low confidence)
# D might be beyond computation limit!
}
# Node E is leaf node
# Can't imagine as much as central nodes
Key insight:
Same universe, different computed maps. Each node’s imagination reflects its network position.
class UniverseMap:
"""
Node's computed imagination of universe
Each entry has confidence score
"""
def __init__(self, observer_node):
self.observer = observer_node
self.entries = {} # node_id → (state, confidence)
def add_node(self, node_id, imagined_state, network_distance):
"""
Add node to map with confidence score
Confidence degrades with network distance
"""
# Self: perfect knowledge
if node_id == self.observer.id:
confidence = 1.0
# Direct neighbors: high confidence
elif network_distance == 1:
confidence = 0.9
# Distance 2: medium confidence
elif network_distance == 2:
confidence = 0.7
# Distance 3: low confidence
elif network_distance == 3:
confidence = 0.5
# Distance 4+: very low confidence
else:
confidence = max(0.1, 1.0 / network_distance)
self.entries[node_id] = (imagined_state, confidence)
def get_confidence(self, node_id):
"""How confident is imagination of this node?"""
if node_id in self.entries:
return self.entries[node_id][1]
return 0.0 # Not in map
Usage:
# Node A imagines universe
universe_map = UniverseMap(node_A)
universe_map.add_node('A', node_A.local_state, distance=0)
# Confidence: 1.0 (perfect - self)
universe_map.add_node('B', imagined_B_state, distance=1)
# Confidence: 0.9 (high - direct neighbor)
universe_map.add_node('D', imagined_D_state, distance=3)
# Confidence: 0.5 (low - far in network)
# Query confidence
print(universe_map.get_confidence('A')) # 1.0
print(universe_map.get_confidence('B')) # 0.9
print(universe_map.get_confidence('D')) # 0.5
class DynamicUniverseMap:
"""
Universe map that updates over time
As network topology changes
"""
def __init__(self, observer_node):
self.observer = observer_node
self.map = {}
self.last_update = 0
def update(self, network, current_time):
"""
Recompute universe map
Called when:
- Network topology changes
- Node receives new data
- Periodic refresh
"""
# Clear old entries that are too stale
self.prune_stale_entries(current_time)
# Recompute reachable nodes
for node in network.nodes:
if self.observer.can_model(node, network):
imagined_state = self.observer.imagine_state(node)
distance = network.distance(self.observer, node)
confidence = self.compute_confidence(distance)
self.map[node.id] = {
'state': imagined_state,
'confidence': confidence,
'last_updated': current_time
}
self.last_update = current_time
def prune_stale_entries(self, current_time):
"""Remove entries that are too old"""
stale_threshold = 100 # time units
for node_id in list(self.map.keys()):
if current_time - self.map[node_id]['last_updated'] > stale_threshold:
del self.map[node_id] # Too stale - remove
Example:
# Initial network
network = Network()
# A - B - C
node_A.universe_map.update(network, t=0)
# Map: {A, B, C}
# Network changes - new connection
network.connect(node_A, node_C)
# A - B - C
# \_____/
node_A.universe_map.update(network, t=10)
# Map: {A, B, C} but C confidence increased!
# (Direct connection now)
# Network changes - node added
node_D = Node('D')
network.connect(node_C, node_D)
node_A.universe_map.update(network, t=20)
# Map: {A, B, C, D}
# D newly imaginable
Physical model limitations:
# Must hardcode constants
c = 299792458 # Speed of light (hardcoded!)
G = 6.674e-11 # Gravitational constant (hardcoded!)
# Must assume continuous space
position = [x, y, z] # Continuous coordinates
# Must propagate through medium
photon_travels_through_space()
# Single "ground truth" universe
universe_state = {...} # One reality
Computational model advantages:
# No hardcoded constants
# Network topology determines "speed limits"
# Discrete network structure
node_connections = [...] # Graph edges
# Computation creates "propagation"
node.compute_imagination()
# Multiple perspectives, no ground truth
node_A.universe_map != node_B.universe_map # Different imaginations
Table:
| Physical | Computational |
|---|---|
| Hardcoded c | Emergent from network |
| Passive observation | Active computation |
| Single universe | Multiple universe maps |
| Space as medium | Network as structure |
| Propagation limit | Computation limit |
class ComputationalPerspective:
"""
Node's perspective as computed imagination
Extends Post 816 Perspective class
But computational not physical
"""
def __init__(self, node_id, computation_capacity=10):
self.node_id = node_id
self.universe_map = {}
self.computation_capacity = computation_capacity
self.confidence_scores = {}
def compute_observable(self, network):
"""
Compute universe map from this node's position
NOT: Check physical light cones
BUT: Compute what can be imagined from network position
"""
observable = {}
# BFS through network up to computation limit
visited = {self.node_id}
queue = [(self.node_id, 0)] # (node_id, distance)
while queue and len(observable) < self.computation_capacity:
current_id, distance = queue.pop(0)
current_node = network.get_node(current_id)
# Add to observable map
if distance <= self.computation_capacity:
# Imagine state of this node
imagined_state = self.imagine_node(current_node, distance, network)
confidence = self.compute_confidence(distance)
observable[current_id] = imagined_state
self.confidence_scores[current_id] = confidence
# Add neighbors to queue
for neighbor in current_node.connections:
if neighbor.id not in visited:
visited.add(neighbor.id)
queue.append((neighbor.id, distance + 1))
self.universe_map = observable
return observable
def imagine_node(self, node, distance, network):
"""
Imagine what node's state is
Based on available data and network position
"""
if distance == 0:
# Self - perfect knowledge
return node.local_state
elif distance == 1:
# Direct neighbor - query directly
return node.local_state # High confidence
else:
# Indirect - must infer through network
# Gather data from intermediate nodes
data = self.gather_indirect_data(node, network)
# Compute likely state
imagined_state = self.infer_state_from_data(data)
return imagined_state
def compute_confidence(self, network_distance):
"""Confidence degrades with network distance"""
if network_distance == 0:
return 1.0
else:
return 1.0 / (network_distance ** 0.5)
def gather_indirect_data(self, target_node, network):
"""Gather data about target from intermediate nodes"""
# Find path to target
path = network.find_path(self.node_id, target_node.id)
# Collect data along path
data = []
for node_id in path:
node = network.get_node(node_id)
data.append(node.local_state)
return data
def infer_state_from_data(self, data):
"""Infer target state from indirect data"""
# Simple inference: average of path states
# More sophisticated: ML model, pattern matching, etc.
return sum(data) / len(data) # Simplified
Post 816 provided:
class Perspective:
def __init__(self, observer_id, position, velocity):
self.id = observer_id
self.position = position
self.velocity = velocity
Post 838 extends:
class ComputationalPerspective(Perspective):
"""
Extends Perspective with computational imagination
"""
def __init__(self, observer_id, network_position, computation_capacity):
# Instead of physical position/velocity
# Use network position and computation capacity
self.id = observer_id
self.network_position = network_position
self.computation_capacity = computation_capacity
self.universe_map = {}
def observe(self, network):
"""
Override physical observation with computational
Post 816: Check light cones
Post 838: Compute universe map
"""
return self.compute_observable(network)
The evolution:
Post 816: Physical perspective (position, velocity, light cones)
↓
Post 838: Computational perspective (network position, computation, imagination)
Both valid, but computational is more fundamental.
Key insights:
Observation = Computation: Nodes don’t passively receive - they actively compute universe maps
Universe Map = Imagination: Each node’s “reality” is what it can imagine from network position
No Hardcoded Constants: No c, no G - emergent from network topology and computation
Network Topology Determines Observable: Not physical distance but network structure
Multiple Realities: No single ground truth - each node has unique universe map
The shift:
Physical: Universe → Photons → Observer → Observation
Computational: Observer → Computation → Universe Map → "Reality"
Physical: Reality first, observation second
Computational: Observation creates reality (per node)
From Post 816:
Minimal framework for universe simulation
From this post:
Observation is imagination - each node computes its own universe map No physical propagation limits - only computational/network limits Reality = collection of all node imaginations
The profound realization:
You don’t observe the universe
You compute it
Your imagination IS your reality
References:
Created: 2026-02-15
Status: 🧠 COMPUTATIONAL PERSPECTIVE FRAMEWORK
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