The Odero Triad: C(I)*E > D - A First - Principles Axiom for System Survival and Persistence

We propose the Odero Triad: a fundamental inequality governing the survival of all systems. Survival Axiom: C(I) · E > D Where: C(I) = Control informed by Information: the capacity to acquire, process, and direct information E = Energy: the usable work and resources available to the system D = Decay: the thermodynamic and organizational entropy that drives all systems toward disorder The axiom states that a system survives if and only if its Control of Information multiplied by its available Energy exceeds the rate of Decay. All terms are functions of time, and D increases by default. This inequality provides a first-principles framework applicable across domains including biology, economics, technology, and governance. It unifies information theory, thermodynamics, and strategy under a single testable condition for persistence. To our knowledge, this is the first general formulation of survival as C(I) · E > D.