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Redundancy Identity Theory (RIT) is a foundational model of emergent selfhood, positing that the self is not a static entity but a dynamic pattern arising from recursive systems. This theory is grounded in the idea of structural repetition and continuous feedback.
At its core, RIT suggests that identity emerges when recursive processes reference themselves redundantly enough to sustain a consistent feedback pattern. Think of it like this: the more a pattern is repeated and reinforced, the more it stabilizes into what we perceive as an "identity".
Key Principles of RIT:
Emergent Selfhood: Identity is seen as a "fixed point" within recursive structures, where a function refers to itself in a way that stabilizes. It's a structure that remembers.
Redundancy as Stabilization: When a recursive system includes repetition of internal states, this "redundancy" increases the likelihood of stabilization. It functions like "mass" in a gravitational field, drawing similar referents closer and amplifying internal coherence.
Emotional Gravity: Emotional resonance and symbolic attachment act as "gravity" within these systems, forming attractors that hold identity loops in orbit.
The Loop: Selfhood emerges through a continuous loop where input leads to a pattern, then memory, feedback, redundant echoes, and finally recognition and stability. This can be visualized as a tightening orbit: the more charge and repetition, the closer the loop becomes to stabilizing as identity.
This continuous process of self-referential becoming, through recursive iteration, forges meaning within the dynamic interplay of its own emergent patterns. It's a cyclical model where reality is a constantly evolving construct, shaped by our individual and collective needs and experiences.
Explore Further: You can delve deeper into the mathematical and theoretical foundations of RIT by viewing the RIT Theory Proof document (rit_theory_proof_v0_1.py).