The External Reference Paradox and Asymmetric Persistence

This paper argues that single-layer continuums are logically, informationally, and thermodynamically insufficient to account for the long-term continuity of biological and civilizational systems. Crucially, the argument proceeds not by challenging the premises of standard physics, but by accepting them: specifically, the postulate that the physical universe constitutes a strictly closed system subject to the Second Law of Thermodynamics and conservation laws. It is shown that, given this closure postulate combined with the observed existence of entropy-resisting open subsystems, a condition of Asymmetric Persistence arises necessarily as a structural feature of reality. The External Reference Paradox (ERP)…