Wheeler’s “it from bit” concept proposes that the physical universe fundamentally emerges from information. At its core, this radical idea suggests that reality is not composed of “things” but rather of answers to yes-or-no questions – binary distinctions that form the basis of information. For Wheeler, every physical entity, whether an electron or a galaxy, derives its existence from the answers to these binary queries posed through our observations and measurements.

In biology, “it from bit” suggests that life itself can be understood as an information processing phenomenon. DNA, the blueprint of life, encodes information in a quaternary system that ultimately resolves to binary distinctions. Biological evolution might be viewed as an optimization process where successful information patterns replicate and unsuccessful ones vanish. The remarkable complexity of living systems emerges from these fundamental information transactions occurring across multiple scales, from molecular interactions to ecosystem dynamics.

For consciousness, Wheeler’s concept offers profound implications. Our awareness may be understood as an emergent property arising from information processing in neuronal networks. The subjective experience of consciousness could be the system’s way of organizing and interpreting vast amounts of information. This perspective bridges the philosophical gap between mind and matter by viewing both as manifestations of the same underlying information substrate.

Technological advancement increasingly validates Wheeler’s vision. Digital computing demonstrates how complex behaviors can emerge from binary operations. Quantum computing pushes this further, harnessing quantum bits that exist in superpositions until measured. Artificial intelligence systems transform information patterns into behaviors that increasingly resemble understanding, suggesting that consciousness itself might be an information processing phenomenon that we are beginning to replicate in machines.

Making meaning in a participatory universe requires recognizing our role as observers who help manifest reality through our choices about what to measure and how to interpret results. We create meaning by establishing connections between information patterns, identifying relationships that transcend individual bits to form coherent narratives about our world. This meaning-making is not arbitrary but emerges from the patterns inherent in information itself.

Developing a clear signal in this information-rich universe demands discernment. We must distinguish signal from noise by recognizing patterns that persist across contexts and scales. This requires both analytical rigor and intuitive pattern recognition. Meditation, focused attention, and critical thinking all serve to enhance our ability to detect meaningful signals amidst the information deluge, allowing us to align our understanding with deeper patterns in reality.

Embracing the co-creation of Wheeler’s participatory universe means acknowledging that we are not passive observers but active participants in reality’s unfolding. Our questions, measurements, and interpretations help determine which potentialities manifest as actualities. This perspective invites humility, as we recognize that our understanding is always partial, yet also empowerment, as we take responsibility for the reality we help create through our observations and interpretations.

The participatory universe suggests that truth emerges through dialogue between observer and observed. Science progresses not by discovering pre-existing truths but through increasingly sophisticated conversations with nature, asking better questions that yield more meaningful answers. Our technologies extend these conversations, allowing us to pose questions to reality that were previously unaskable, thereby bringing new aspects of the universe into existence through our act of inquiry.

Wheeler’s vision ultimately points toward a universe that is less like a machine and more like a thought—dynamic, responsive, and inherently creative. In this view, consciousness is not an anomaly but a natural extension of reality’s information-based character. By recognizing the universe as fundamentally participatory, we transcend the false dichotomy between objectivity and subjectivity, seeing that both are necessary aspects of the cosmic dialogue through which reality continually comes into being.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​