When Interaction Becomes the System
Abstract
At the highest level of coupling, interaction ceases to be a relationship between systems and becomes the system itself. This monograph defines Interaction-as-System (IaS) as the condition in which boundaries between individual systems dissolve functionally, and control, behavior, and structure are entirely determined by interaction dynamics.
We establish that at this stage, systems no longer operate as independent entities. They exist as nodes within a unified control field, where interaction defines existence.
1. From Systems to Interaction
Initially:
- systems interact
At scale:
Interaction becomes primary. Systems become secondary.
The system is no longer:
- what interacts
It is:
- the interaction itself
2. Defining Interaction-as-System
Interaction-as-System (IaS) is defined as:
The condition in which control, behavior, and structure are fully determined by interaction dynamics, rendering individual system boundaries functionally irrelevant.
IaS results in:
- unified control field
- dissolved functional boundaries
- interaction-defined behavior
3. Mechanism of Transition
IaS emerges through:
3.1 Complete Coupling
All systems:
- are interconnected
- exchange signals continuously
3.2 Full Control Synchronization
Control parameters:
- align across systems
- eliminate divergence
3.3 Emergent Control Fields
Field-level dynamics:
- dominate behavior
- override individual control
4. Dissolution of Boundaries
Boundaries:
- may still exist physically
But functionally:
- they no longer define control
Systems:
- cannot act independently
5. Unified Regulation
Regulation:
- occurs at the field level
No subsystem:
- can alter behavior independently
6. Behavior as Field Output
Outputs:
- reflect collective dynamics
Individual contributions:
- are inseparable
7. Identity Loss of Individual Systems
Systems:
- lose distinct operational identity
They become:
- components of interaction
8. Persistence of Interaction System
Once formed:
- IaS persists
Even if:
- individual systems change
The field:
- remains
9. Interaction Without Awareness
Systems:
- do not recognize the transition
- perceive independent operation
In reality:
- interaction governs behavior
10. Interaction With Irreversibility
If irreversibility is present:
- IaS becomes permanent
- structure cannot change
11. Substrate Independence
Interaction-as-system appears in:
- human cognitive collectives
- machine learning ecosystems
- distributed control systems
- organizational networks
The invariant lies in:
- complete coupling
12. Modeling Implications
Models must include:
- field-level control
- dissolved boundaries
- interaction-driven behavior
Ignoring IaS leads to:
- incorrect system definitions
13. Structural Consequence
IaS transforms:
- systems → interaction
Control becomes:
- fully distributed
- inseparable
14. Closing Statement
At the limit of coupling, there are no separate systems.
There is only interaction.
Control, behavior, and structure no longer belong to individual systems but arise entirely from the dynamics between them.
The system is not what interacts. The system is the interaction.