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Abstract

We introduce an alternate description of physical reality based on a simple foundational concept that there exist things that influence one another. It has been previously demonstrated that quantification of order-theoretic structures consistent with relevant symmetries results in constraint equations akin to physical laws. We consider a network of objects that influence one another — the influence network. By consistently quantifying such a network with respect to embedded observers, we demonstrate in relevant special cases that influence events can only be quantified by the familiar mathematics of space-time, influence gives rise to forces, and observer-made inferences result in the Dirac equation and fermion physics. Together this suggests a novel path to quantum gravity.