{"id":"https://openalex.org/W7161500906","doi":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249368","title":"Time as Irreversible Distinction Update: Finite Records, Causal Ordering, and Register-Time Collapse","display_name":"Time as Irreversible Distinction Update: Finite Records, Causal Ordering, and Register-Time Collapse","publication_year":2026,"publication_date":"2026-05-17","ids":{"openalex":"https://openalex.org/W7161500906","doi":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249368"},"language":"en","primary_location":{"id":"doi:10.5281/zenodo.20249368","doi":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249368","is_oa":true,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249368","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306400562","display_name":"Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":true,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"listed_in":[],"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I67311998","host_organization_name":"European Organization for Nuclear Research","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I67311998"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":"cc-by","license_id":"https://openalex.org/licenses/cc-by","version":null,"is_accepted":false,"is_published":false,"raw_source_name":null,"raw_type":"Preprint"},"volume":null,"type":"preprint","is_traditional":true,"indexed_in":["datacite"],"open_access":{"is_oa":true,"oa_status":"green","oa_url":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249368","any_repository_has_fulltext":true},"authorships":[{"author_position":"first","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5136293510","display_name":"Yining Wu","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4991-4501","observed_orcids":["https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4991-4501"]},"institutions":[],"countries":[],"is_corresponding":true,"raw_author_name":"Wu, Yining","raw_affiliation_strings":[],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4991-4501","affiliations":[]}],"institutions":[],"countries_distinct_count":0,"institutions_distinct_count":0,"corresponding_author_ids":["https://openalex.org/A5136293510"],"corresponding_institution_ids":[],"apc_list":null,"apc_paid":null,"fwci":null,"has_fulltext":false,"cited_by_count":9,"citation_normalized_percentile":null,"cited_by_percentile_year":null,"biblio":{"volume":null,"issue":null,"first_page":null,"last_page":null},"is_retracted":false,"is_paratext":false,"is_xpac":false,"primary_topic":{"id":"https://openalex.org/T11960","display_name":"Relativity and Gravitational Theory","score":0.2797999978065491,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/3103","display_name":"Astronomy and Astrophysics"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/31","display_name":"Physics and Astronomy"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/3","display_name":"Physical Sciences"}},"topics":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/T11960","display_name":"Relativity and Gravitational Theory","score":0.2797999978065491,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/3103","display_name":"Astronomy and Astrophysics"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/31","display_name":"Physics and Astronomy"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/3","display_name":"Physical Sciences"}},{"id":"https://openalex.org/T10258","display_name":"Philosophy and Theoretical Science","score":0.14390000700950623,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/1211","display_name":"Philosophy"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/12","display_name":"Arts and Humanities"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/2","display_name":"Social Sciences"}},{"id":"https://openalex.org/T13545","display_name":"Philosophical and Theoretical Analysis","score":0.1168999969959259,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/1211","display_name":"Philosophy"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/12","display_name":"Arts and Humanities"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/2","display_name":"Social Sciences"}}],"keywords":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/distinction-theory","display_name":"distinction theory","score":0.7480000257492065},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/arrow-of-time","display_name":"arrow of time","score":0.8510000109672546},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/causal-order","display_name":"causal order","score":0.7720000147819519},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/finite-memory","display_name":"finite memory","score":0.6990000009536743},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/temporal-collapse","display_name":"temporal collapse","score":0.6620000004768372},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/context-window","display_name":"context window","score":0.5849999785423279},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/thermodynamic-limit","display_name":"thermodynamic limit","score":0.33399999141693115},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/finite-observers","display_name":"finite observers","score":0.414000004529953}],"concepts":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/C34388435","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2267362","display_name":"Bounded function","level":2,"score":0.6255999803543091},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C41008148","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21198","display_name":"Computer science","level":0,"score":0.5156000256538391},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2778562939","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1298791","display_name":"Synchronization (alternating current)","level":3,"score":0.45809999108314514},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C135628077","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220184","display_name":"Finite element method","level":2,"score":0.4253000020980835},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C162392398","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q272404","display_name":"Finite set","level":2,"score":0.3986999988555908},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C19768560","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320727","display_name":"Dependency (UML)","level":2,"score":0.392300009727478},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C11413529","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8366","display_name":"Algorithm","level":1,"score":0.37720000743865967},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2780704645","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9251458","display_name":"Observer (physics)","level":2,"score":0.3702999949455261},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C167822520","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q176452","display_name":"Finite-state machine","level":2,"score":0.3547999858856201},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C177264268","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1514741","display_name":"Set (abstract data type)","level":2,"score":0.3357999920845032},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C80444323","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2878974","display_name":"Theoretical computer science","level":1,"score":0.3021000027656555},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C33923547","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q395","display_name":"Mathematics","level":0,"score":0.27970001101493835},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2777686260","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q144037","display_name":"Calculus (dental)","level":2,"score":0.2784999907016754},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C189950617","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q937228","display_name":"Property (philosophy)","level":2,"score":0.26109999418258667},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C182306322","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1779371","display_name":"Order (exchange)","level":2,"score":0.25609999895095825},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C116672817","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1454986","display_name":"Physical system","level":2,"score":0.2554999887943268}],"mesh":[],"locations_count":2,"locations":[{"id":"doi:10.5281/zenodo.20249368","doi":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249368","is_oa":true,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249368","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306400562","display_name":"Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":true,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"listed_in":[],"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I67311998","host_organization_name":"European Organization for Nuclear Research","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I67311998"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":"cc-by","license_id":"https://openalex.org/licenses/cc-by","version":null,"is_accepted":false,"is_published":false,"raw_source_name":null,"raw_type":"Preprint"},{"id":"doi:10.5281/zenodo.20249369","doi":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249369","is_oa":true,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249369","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306400562","display_name":"Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":true,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"listed_in":[],"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I67311998","host_organization_name":"European Organization for Nuclear Research","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I67311998"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":"cc-by","license_id":"https://openalex.org/licenses/cc-by","version":null,"is_accepted":false,"is_published":false,"raw_source_name":null,"raw_type":"Preprint"}],"best_oa_location":{"id":"doi:10.5281/zenodo.20249368","doi":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249368","is_oa":true,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20249368","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306400562","display_name":"Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":true,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"listed_in":[],"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I67311998","host_organization_name":"European Organization for Nuclear Research","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I67311998"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":"cc-by","license_id":"https://openalex.org/licenses/cc-by","version":null,"is_accepted":false,"is_published":false,"raw_source_name":null,"raw_type":"Preprint"},"sustainable_development_goals":[],"study_designs":[],"awards":[],"funders":[],"has_content":{"pdf":false,"grobid_xml":false},"content_urls":null,"referenced_works_count":2,"referenced_works":["https://openalex.org/W7161398564","https://openalex.org/W7161493443"],"related_works":["https://openalex.org/W7165387923","https://openalex.org/W7121353335","https://openalex.org/W7122645743","https://openalex.org/W7130723795","https://openalex.org/W7171656151","https://openalex.org/W7122431975","https://openalex.org/W7124941215","https://openalex.org/W7117572928","https://openalex.org/W604369205","https://openalex.org/W7153158042"],"abstract_inverted_index":{"Paper":[0],"also":[1],"available":[2],"at":[3],"https://philarchive.org/rec/WUTAIB":[4],"Official":[5],"website:":[6],"distinctiontheory.orgPublic":[7],"portal":[8],"for":[9,34,63],"the":[10,114,177,184,203,217,225,252,396],"start":[11],"guide,":[12],"papers,":[13],"claim":[14,70,359],"status,":[15],"failure":[16],"registry,":[17],"prior-art":[18],"boundary,":[19],"and":[20,50,92,103,141,157,284,305,327,353],"citation":[21],"resources.":[22],"Canonical":[23],"GitHub":[24],"repository:https://github.com/yiningwu-research/Distinction-Theory":[25],"FDS-O2":[26,112],"develops":[27],"an":[28,42,188,231,278],"operational":[29,232,279,414],"finite-record":[30],"model":[31,334,415],"of":[32,220,234,242,416],"time":[33,350,368,417],"bounded":[35,120],"physical":[36,97,133],"observers.":[37],"Building":[38],"on":[39,183],"FDS-O1,":[40],"where":[41],"observer":[43],"is":[44,71,171,206,371,404],"defined":[45],"as":[46,52,131,418],"a":[47,65,128,132,169,376,412],"finite":[48,66,73,93,115,145,147,150,152,155,158,190,194,254,265,271,408],"distinction-register":[49],"measurement":[51],"stable":[53],"record":[54,116,170,186,255,409],"formation,":[55],"this":[56,211],"paper":[57,126,209,356],"asks":[58],"what":[59],"temporal":[60,76,123,129,167,286,329],"order":[61,77,319],"means":[62],"such":[64],"register.":[67],"The":[68,125,208,292,308],"central":[69],"that":[72,135,179,360,366,373,380],"systems":[74],"access":[75],"only":[78],"through":[79,118,187],"register":[80,130,235],"time:":[81,236],"causal":[82,163,269],"dependencies,":[83],"clock":[84,104,148,272,342],"labels,":[85],"logs,":[86],"residues,":[87],"update":[88,178,191,204],"traces,":[89],"synchronization":[90,262,323],"records,":[91,136,244],"memories":[94],"carried":[95],"by":[96,213],"records.":[98],"Coordinate":[99],"time,":[100,102],"proper":[101],"readings":[105],"remain":[106],"valid":[107],"in":[108,288,369,400],"their":[109],"standard":[110],"domains;":[111],"studies":[113],"structure":[117],"which":[119],"observers":[121],"use":[122],"order.":[124],"defines":[127,230],"system":[134],"orders,":[137],"timestamps,":[138],"updates,":[139],"synchronizes,":[140],"reuses":[142],"distinctions":[143,247],"under":[144],"memory,":[146],"precision,":[149],"buffering,":[151],"communication":[153],"bandwidth,":[154],"latency,":[156],"thermodynamic":[159,397],"budgets.":[160],"It":[161,387],"makes":[162],"dependency":[164],"prior":[165],"to":[166,339],"labeling:":[168],"operationally":[172],"later":[173],"than":[174],"another":[175],"when":[176],"forms":[180],"it":[181,406],"depends":[182],"earlier":[185],"accessible":[189],"chain.":[192],"When":[193],"memory":[195],"forces":[196],"overwrite,":[197],"compression,":[198],"projection,":[199,275],"or":[200,348,379,395],"garbage":[201],"collection,":[202],"map":[205],"many-to-one.":[207],"quantifies":[210],"non-injectivity":[212],"LU":[214],"=":[215],"H(X|Z),":[216],"residual":[218],"set":[219],"compatible":[221],"past":[222,243],"states":[223],"given":[224],"current":[226,253],"record.":[227],"This":[228,259,355],"loss":[229],"arrow":[233],"future":[237],"records":[238],"may":[239],"contain":[240],"traces":[241],"but":[245],"erased":[246],"cannot":[248],"be":[249],"reconstructed":[250],"from":[251],"without":[256],"external":[257],"memory.":[258],"version":[260],"adds":[261],"bottlenecks":[263],"between":[264],"observers,":[266],"latency-induced":[267],"apparent":[268],"inversion,":[270,320],"coarse-graining,":[273],"dissipative":[274],"compatible-history":[276],"interpretation,":[277],"time-resolution":[280],"/":[281],"energy-throughput":[282],"tradeoff,":[283],"long-context":[285],"collapse":[287],"AI-like":[289],"finite-window":[290],"systems.":[291],"accompanying":[293],"replication":[294],"package":[295],"includes":[296],"deterministic":[297],"synthetic":[298],"simulations,":[299],"figures,":[300],"CSV":[301],"outputs,":[302],"LaTeX":[303],"source,":[304],"Python":[306],"code.":[307],"simulations":[309],"illustrate":[310],"memory-fill-driven":[311],"non-injectivity,":[312],"fixed-memory":[313],"overwrite":[314],"versus":[315],"append-only":[316],"logging,":[317],"latency-based":[318],"clock-tick":[321],"collisions,":[322],"ambiguity,":[324],"projection-semigroup":[325],"loss,":[326],"context-window":[328],"collapse.":[330],"These":[331],"are":[332,363],"illustrative":[333],"demonstrations,":[335],"not":[336,358,389],"empirical":[337],"fits":[338],"detector":[340],"data,":[341,343],"cosmological":[344],"observations,":[345],"AI-system":[346],"benchmarks,":[347],"human":[349],"perception.":[351],"Scope":[352],"boundary.":[354],"does":[357,388],"microscopic":[361],"laws":[362],"fundamentally":[364],"nonunitary,":[365],"coordinate":[367],"equations":[370],"invalid,":[372],"relativity":[374],"requires":[375,384],"preferred":[377],"foliation,":[378],"cosmology":[381],"no":[382],"longer":[383],"boundary":[385],"conditions.":[386],"derive":[390],"general":[391],"relativity,":[392],"quantum":[393],"measurement,":[394],"Second":[398],"Law":[399],"full.":[401],"Its":[402],"contribution":[403],"narrower:":[405],"converts":[407],"formation":[410],"into":[411],"concrete":[413],"causal,":[419],"irreversible,":[420],"finite-register":[421],"update.":[422]},"counts_by_year":[{"year":2026,"cited_by_count":9}],"updated_date":"2026-10-28T10:33:24.094632","created_date":"2026-05-18T00:00:00"}
