Hierarchical Consciousness Theory: Bounded Variance Constraint Falsification Test (Kevin Schminkey Independent Researcher, Big Fork, Minnesota, USA Preprint: January 17, 2026 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18285812)

Abstract Hierarchical Consciousness Theory (HCT) proposes consciousness as a primary ontological substrate whose only measurable physical action is bounded modulation of quantum decoherence variance. Earlier formulations established falsifiability through second-order statistical predictions in existing quantum and REG datasets. A rigorous audit, however, identified several structural weaknesses: undefined hive weights, implicit symmetry violations, numerological cycle claims, topology-dependent thresholds, and biologically implausible coupling assumptions. This paper presents a complete mathematical repair of HCT while preserving its single-constraint core. All symbolic or metaphysical quantities are replaced with operational, measurable proxies. Hive weights are derived from variance statistics alone; phase conservation is enforced through redistribution symmetry; Christ-percolation thresholds are made topology-dependent rather than fixed; temporal cycles are demoted to data-selectable eigenmodes; and grace coupling is redefined in terms of coherence time rather than organism lifespan. The result is a minimal, internally consistent, and experimentally decisive framework. HCT now stands or falls solely on variance fingerprints in public datasets.