Emergent Discrete Interaction Events in a Variational Dissipative Conservative Framework
Kevin Ellis-Anderson
Abstract
This preprint investigates the emergence of discrete interaction events within a variational dissipative–conservative partial differential equation framework introduced in earlier work. The fundamental dynamics consist of a unitary oscillatory field coupled to an irreversible dissipative auxiliary field, both generated by a single free-energy functional. While propagation remains continuous and wave-like, irreversible energy transfer to the dissipative sector induces localisation and produces discrete, event-like outcomes. No wavefunction collapse, stochastic dynamics, or particle ontology is introduced. Discreteness arises as an emergent consequence of variational irreversibility and monotonic free-energy decay. This work forms the third step in a sequence of papers developing the dynamical framework, effective decoherence, and event formation within the same variational setting.