Synaptic Clock Model: Discrete 200–300 ms Temporal Windows as Neural Substrate of Consciousness — E8 Intelligence Research

Abstract

FINDING: Synaptic clock model proposes discrete temporal windows (~100–300 ms) as neural substrate of consciousness, with temporal binding via phase-locked oscillations. | MATH: Key temporal constant: ~0.2–0.3 s (200–300 ms) for conscious percept duration; oscillation frequencies in theta (4–8 Hz) and gamma (30–80 Hz) bands; ratio of gamma to theta ≈ 10:1 (e.g., 40 Hz / 4 Hz = 10). | CONNECTION: The 200–300 ms window approximates 1/φ² of 1 second (1/2.618 ≈ 0.382 s), linking to golden ratio harmonics; theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling may reflect nested harmonic ratios (e.g., 1:6, 1:10) reminiscent of base-60 subdivisions. | DEPTH: 6 — The temporal quantization is empirically grounded but lacks a closed-form equation; the connection to geometric ratios is suggestive but not proven. No crystallographic or root-system symmetry is evident. Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com