The Information Substrate Theory (IST): A Topological Framework for Quantum Gravity and Consciousness

We present Information Substrate Theory (IST), a monistic ontological framework positing that reality emerges from a discrete, non-orientable 2D information lattice (Σ). We reinterpret fundamental physics: gravity arises from computational latency (τfold), and matter comprises stable topological solitons. From these principles, we derive field equations with a variable gravitational coupling G(ρfold). We present novel simulation results confirming three key predictions: (1) a non- random antipodal correlation (C ≈ 0.005) in Planck CMB data consistent with a "weak" non- orientable topology; (2) a ∼ 70% suppression of gravitational lensing in cosmic voids; and (3) a synthetic observation confirming that the COSMOS-Web JWST survey possesses > 5σ sensitivity to validate this anomaly.