# The Stack

A series by Marc DeCaria in 3 parts, in reading order.

1. [The Layer Beneath Physics](https://marcdecaria.com/writing/the-layer-beneath-physics.md), 2026-03-09: Argues that consciousness, not theoretical physics, is the bottom of the stack, so demanding physicists for advanced programs misreads where access happens.
2. [The Map Does Not Get to Veto the Territory](https://marcdecaria.com/writing/the-map-does-not-get-to-veto-the-territory.md), 2026-03-09: Separates access, validation and explanation to argue that physics is a powerful map but not the gatekeeper that decides what counts as real.
3. [Consciousness and the Distributed System](https://marcdecaria.com/writing/consciousness-and-the-distributed-system.md), 2026-03-10: Defines consciousness as a larger integrative process running through billions of bounded minds, using the many parallel conversations of an AI system as the analogy.