Where information is fundamental to physical reality
The fundamental substrate of reality. Information is not derived from matter and energy—matter and energy emerge from information.
The observer component that enables measurement and collapse of quantum states. Consciousness is intrinsic to information processing.
The processing mechanism by which information evolves and transforms. Reality operates as a computational system.
About the visual similarity to E=mc²: The resemblance to Einstein's famous equation is intentional—a respectful homage to physics. However, the "c" in Ic² does NOT represent the speed of light.
Our acronym represents the three pillars of our theoretical framework: Information, Consciousness, and Computation. We compress these into "Ic²" where the second "c" is stylized as "squared" for visual effect.
Why this name? Because our framework proposes that everything—energy, matter, spacetime—emerges from information-consciousness-computation, not the other way around. The visual echo of physics' most famous equation reminds us that we're proposing something equally fundamental: information as the ground state of reality.
The Ic² Research Institute advances open, transparent research into the fundamental nature of reality through the lens of information theory, consciousness studies, and computational frameworks.
We believe that scientific progress requires complete transparency, community involvement, and the free exchange of ideas. No paywalls. No gatekeeping. No hiding failures.
All research, data, and analysis freely available. We publish everything openly, including our failures and ongoing investigations.
Complete documentation of predictions before validation. Public financial records. Open methodology. We hide nothing.
Science advances through collaboration. We welcome contributions from anyone, regardless of credentials or institutional affiliation.
Every claim must be falsifiable. We document specific predictions with timestamps, then let experiments decide.
We acknowledge limitations, report negative results, and distinguish between validation and corroboration.
Knowledge should be accessible to all. We reject paywalls, closed peer review, and artificial barriers to information.
Ic² Research Institute is an independent research platform, not a registered legal entity or non-profit organization. We operate as a transparent, community-driven initiative focused on advancing fundamental physics through information-theoretic frameworks.
Founder & Principal Researcher: Michael K. Baines
We maintain this structure intentionally to ensure complete independence from institutional pressures, funding biases, and traditional academic constraints. This allows us to pursue research directions that might be considered unconventional or risky within traditional frameworks.
Want to contribute? We welcome collaboration from researchers, physicists, mathematicians, computer scientists, and anyone with relevant expertise. Visit our contributions page to learn more.