Recursive Instability Collapse (RIC): An Adaptive Monitoring Principle for Open Quantum Systems

We propose Recursive Instability Collapse (RIC) as an adaptive monitoring principle for open quantum systems. The central hypothesis is that quantum superposition entails a physical cost, modeled as an "instability" functional C[ρ]. This functionalschedules trajectory-level measurement rates via a feedback loop based on the classical measurement record. Crucially, the collapse threshold C∗ is physically grounded in the Bremermann limit for maximum information processing rates. We present numerical evidence demonstrating emergent properties: (1) Thermodynamic Regulation: The system exhibits saturation of collapsefrequency under high-energy driving. (2) Gravitational Zeno-Locking: Strong coupling (simulating mass) suppresses superposition amplitudesto the femto-scale. (3) Biological Modulation: Varying the instability threshold reproduces thedynamic signature of loss of consciousness. The framework offers a unified, falsifiable perspective on the transition from quantum to classical and decision neuroscience.