Original language: Japanese. This post is an English adaptation of a model I have been developing.
I am working on a theoretical framework that attempts to integrate civilization studies with concepts from electronic engineering and information theory.
I understand this is a niche, cross-disciplinary topic, but I am hoping it may interest researchers, graduate students searching for thesis ideas, or anyone who enjoys theoretical models that bridge the humanities and engineering.
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■ Core idea: Treating civilization as an Operating System (OS)
The model views civilization as a large-scale OS whose internal dynamics can be interpreted through engineering concepts:
- Feedback circuits → formation and reinforcement of social norms
- Noise and fluctuation → cultural variability and shifts in value systems
- Nonlinear resonance → sudden collective behavioral changes
- Mandelbrot-like self-similarity → recurring structural patterns in civilizations
- 1/f fluctuation → a creative zone between stability and instability
The hypothesis is that civilizational change, stagnation, and value transitions may be explainable using concepts such as circuits, noise, resonance, and chaos.
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■ Goals of the model
- To model why civilizations sometimes change rapidly and sometimes remain stagnant
- To examine the limits of “universal justice” and the conditions for local improvements
- To explore whether civilizational information capacity and constraints can be formalized using engineering analogies
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■ What I would like to hear from this community
- Are there researchers who find this kind of cross-disciplinary approach meaningful
- From an engineering or information-theoretic perspective, what seems flawed or promising
- From a philosophy-of-science or civilization-theory perspective, which parts appear valid or invalid
- Could this be developed into a legitimate research theme
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I would appreciate any thoughts, critiques, or references.
My hope is that this post may spark a discussion rather than simply gather comments.