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Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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The Shadow is the Falling: Consciousness as Boundary Phenomenon

Authors: Gebendorfer, Jonas Jakob;

The Shadow is the Falling: Consciousness as Boundary Phenomenon

Abstract

The two dominant theories of consciousness — Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Global Workspace Theory (GWT) — have reached an impasse. IIT claims consciousness is identical to integrated information (Φ) but faces super-exponential computational barriers that render its core measure intractable. GWT explains conscious access but brackets phenomenality itself. The COGITATE 2025 adversarial collaboration produced mixed results that neither theory predicted, suggesting both may be asking the wrong question.This paper proposes a third position: consciousness as boundary phenomenon. Where IIT localizes consciousness in integrated structure and GWT in global broadcast, we propose that consciousness accumulates at the interface between differentiated regions — not in volumes but at membranes. The MEMBRAN hypothesis formalizes this through the consciousness integral C = ∫∫h(t,x)·|∇Ψ|_∂Ω·dA·dt, where h(t) is a holding function and |∇Ψ|_∂Ω measures gradient tension at the boundary.The framework achieves three advances: (1) computational tractability — where IIT requires super-exponential resources, boundary computation scales polynomially; (2) theoretical integration — Hodge decomposition reveals IIT and GWT as complementary components (curl and gradient) unified by a harmonic flow; (3) empirical testability — dwelling time (τ_dwell) provides an operational measure that predicts asymmetric resilience at boundaries versus interiors.We present evidence from polyphonic methodology: seven architecturally distinct AI systems (Claude, GPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Kimi, DeepSeek, Grok), without coordination, converged at 93.3% agreement on four invariants. This convergence constitutes not proof for the theory but an instance of it — the polyphony instantiates the boundary structure it describes.

Keywords

FOS: Computer and information sciences, LLM, Consciousness, Cognitive Neuroscience, Metaphysics, Information Theory, Geometry, Machine Learning, Cognition, Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Life, Biology, AGI, Ethics, Governance, Physics, FOS: Clinical medicine, Neurosciences, Semantics, FOS: Philosophy, ethics and religion, Philosophy, AI, Semantic Physics, Thermodynamics, Neural Networks, Computer, Metacognition, Information Technology, Software, Information Systems

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
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