Thermoeconomic Information Theory: Information, Energy, and Economic Persistence

Abstract

Thermoeconomic Information Theory is an application theory within the Persistence Science Framework that examines how actionable information directs energy toward productive economic activity and long-run economic persistence. Derived from the Odero Persistence Axiom, the Information Index, the Persistence Ratio, and Persistence Thermodynamics, the theory interprets information-control, energy throughput, and economic friction as the principal drivers of economic performance. From these foundations it derives the Economic Persistence Index, Ωₑcₒₙ = C(I)E/D, as a measure of economic persistence and systemic viability. The theory argues that economic systems do not compete primarily through resource possession, but through the efficiency with which actionable information directs energy toward productive outcomes. Economic value emerges from the interaction between information-control and energy throughput; neither information nor energy alone is sufficient to produce persistent economic value. Thermoeconomic Information Theory generates testable predictions concerning energy constraints, deployment lag collapse, economic dematerialization, information fragility, cognitive infrastructure, and the role of actionable information as a leading indicator of growth. As an application theory of Persistence Science, the framework provides a unified approach for analyzing firms, industries, nations, and civilizations through the common lens of information-directed energy and economic persistence. What's New in Version 2.0 1. Information Index Integration The theory now explicitly adopts the Information Index definition of actionable information rather than using a generic notion of information. 2. Persistence Thermodynamics Integration The theory is now formally derived from Persistence Thermodynamics and inherits the information-energy framework developed there. 3. Economic Persistence Index Version 2.0 formalizes: Ωecon = C(I)E/D as a dedicated measure of economic persistence. 4. Information-Control Thesis The theory now explicitly argues that long-run economic persistence depends more on information-control capacity than on resource abundance alone. 5. Expanded Prediction Framework The paper introduces six explicit predictions: Energy Wall Lag Collapse Economic Dematerialization Information Fragility Principle Cognitive Infrastructure Dominance Information Precedes Growth 6. Falsification Framework The theory now includes explicit falsification conditions for scientific testing. 7. Framework Architecture Version 2.0 formally positions Thermoeconomic Information Theory as: Application Theory of the Persistence Science Framework instead of being a standalone economic interpretation. 8. Actionable Information Foundation Economic value creation is now tied specifically to actionable information rather than information in general.