HYPOTHESIS VOLUME 1 "THE DUAL LAW OF SEMANTIC TOLERANCE"

Abstract We present the discovery of a fundamental governing dynamic in information systems: the Semantic Tolerance Law, which describes the scalar field of information retention I(σ) as a function of noise intensity σ. This Volume 1 (Manifesto) presents our central findings and unified theory. The complete experimental journey—including 30+ failed variable candidates and our discovery of circular reasoning—is detailed in Volume 2 (Empirical Manual, forthcoming). Philosophical implications are explored in Volume 3 (Ontological Analysis, forthcoming). Across N=200 experiments spanning four domains (Tabular, Vision, NLP, Signal), we observe a Dual Law System. Inert systems follow the Physical Law (I ∝ e^(−λσ)), while structured systems follow the Metaphysical Law (I ∝ Sigmoid(σ)).