Persistence Thermodynamics: Theory of Information-Energy Dynamics

Persistence Thermodynamics is a core theory within the Persistence Science Framework that explains how information, control, energy, technology, and decay interact through time. Building upon the Odero Persistence Axiom, the Information Index, and the Persistence Ratio, the theory provides a dynamic framework for understanding how systems generate, maintain, and lose persistence. The framework proposes that actionable information influences the control function C(I), which determines how effectively available energy is directed toward desired outcomes. Improved control increases usable energy throughput, supports technological development, and facilitates the generation of new information, creating a reinforcing persistence cycle. A central contribution of the theory is the distinction between Information (I), Actionable Information (A), and Operational Information Stock (Info). Operational Information Stock represents the active thermodynamic subset of actionable information responsible for influencing control effectiveness within real systems. The theory introduces the Information Thermodynamic Index (Θ), a dimensionless measure of information generation relative to informational friction and decay. Together with the Persistence Index (Ω), the framework defines a persistence phase space that classifies systems into Expansion, Recovery, Stable but Stagnating, and Collapse regimes. Persistence Thermodynamics further develops formal information-energy coupling equations, technology accumulation dynamics, information dissipation mechanisms, limiting cases, and falsifiable hypotheses connecting information quality, energy utilization, technological capability, and persistence outcomes. As the dynamic core theory of Persistence Science, Persistence Thermodynamics provides the mechanistic bridge between the static persistence condition established by the Odero Persistence Axiom and the evolving trajectories of complex physical, biological, economic, organizational, and technological systems.