The Protoverse is a computational experiment with the intent to build an abstract, artificial universe – nested substrates where intrinsic, open-ended evolutionary processes are the consequential outcome of systemic interactions.
- The Protoverse is not made from things (like particles or objects and such), but processes. It represents a shift from a substantial-materialist worldview to a process-relational understanding. Here, properties emerge from relationships rather than existing inherently (Process Philosophy, Relationalism).
- There’s no traditional concept of time, space or gravity. Processes compose into higher-order Processes by continuously becoming their own nested computing substrates, giving rise to novel, emergent characteristics. This model also transcends classical dichotomies like “concrete/abstract”, “mind/matter”, etc. (Backdrop Independence, Dynamic Systems).
- The presence of self-replicating entities (akin to what’s commonly considered “life”) is not a prerequisite for darwin-style evolution to occur. Evolutionary dynamics are self-initiating and self-sustainging loops (akin to a “virtuous cycles”), functioning not only beyond biological scales, but also generating nested scales of complexity trough the evolution of the capacity to evolve itself. (Universal Darwinism, Evolution of Evolvability).
I’m currently developing the metaphysical framework, in which I explore and try to connect these ideas (and several other related ones). I will publish the WIP metaphysics on my blog soon.