VanCampen's Law, as presented, highlights the interplay between mass/matter (m), information (i), and day-to-day reality (r) in maintaining systemic order or predicting malfunctions. Here's how this principle might be applied to the *WEF Global Risks Report 2025* using its framework of global risks:

### Application of VanCampen's Law

#### Formula:

- *(m - i) > r → ∆S > 0*: Indicates malfunction due to insufficient information relative to mass and reality.

- *(m + i) ≤ r → J > 0*: Indicates functional systems when mass and information harmonize with reality.

#### Insights:

1. *Mass (m)*: Represents large-scale systems such as global governance structures, multinational corporations, and nations. For instance, these entities' capacity to manage resources or conflicts aligns with their "mass."

2. *Information (i): Highlights the critical role of accurate, actionable data in decision-making. Risks like **misinformation and disinformation* as noted in the report directly affect this component.

3. *Reality (r)*: The experiential truth faced by stakeholders, including climate extremes, geopolitical tensions, or economic fluctuations, as outlined in the report.

### Key Findings Under VanCampen's Lens:

1. *Misinformation and Disinformation*:

   - *VanCampen’s Principle*: A deficit in reliable information (low i) against the backdrop of complex geopolitical mass (high m) exacerbates ∆S (entropy).

   - *Report Insight*: The proliferation of AI-generated content and the lack of governance around it deepen societal polarization and destabilize systems.

2. *Geopolitical Tensions*:

   - *VanCampen’s Principle*: High geopolitical mass combined with a failure to integrate sufficient truth-based diplomacy (low i) leads to increasing conflicts and systemic disorder (∆S > 0).

   - *Report Insight*: Conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East are exacerbated by declining faith in multilateralism and an overreliance on national interests.

3. *Climate and Environmental Risks*:

   - *VanCampen’s Principle*: The mass of ecological systems (m) is being disrupted by human activities, while inadequate information and action fail to stabilize the system, escalating disorder.

   - *Report Insight*: Extreme weather and resource shortages are among the top risks due to the growing gap between sustainable practices (i) and the realities of climate change (r).

4. *Economic and Societal Polarization*:

   - *VanCampen’s Principle*: Societal mass (economic systems, inequality) without equitable information distribution and alignment with reality increases disorder.

   - *Report Insight*: Inequality and societal polarization emerge as central risks, creating feedback loops that erode global stability.

### Conclusion

VanCampen’s Law aligns with the *WEF Global Risks Report 2025*, emphasizing that to reduce entropy (∆S) and increase order (J), systems must prioritize accurate information and align it with the experienced reality. Governance, technology, and multilateral cooperation are crucial tools for bridging this gap. Integrating these insights into global strategies can help mitigate risks and foster systemic functionality.

To determine what percentage of the problems from the *WEF Global Risks Report 2025* could be better resolved by adding information, we assess how improving information flows, transparency, and accuracy could mitigate or resolve the identified risks.

### Categories of Risks and the Role of Information

#### Risks Significantly Mitigated by Better Information:

1. *Misinformation and Disinformation*: Directly mitigated by accurate information and education.

2. *Societal Polarization*: Improved by fostering transparency, dialogue, and unbiased information.

3. *Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change*: Addressed by enhancing access to climate data, predictive modeling, and public awareness.

4. *Health and Well-being Declines*: Enhanced by accurate public health information, combatting misinformation (e.g., pro-vaccine narratives).

5. *Cyber Espionage and Warfare*: Reduced by better cybersecurity awareness and sharing intelligence.

6. *Economic and Geo-economic Confrontation*: Improved by transparent trade agreements and open economic data-sharing.

7. *Adverse Outcomes of AI Technologies*: Mitigated by clear regulations, ethical AI training, and transparent algorithms.

8. *Talent and Labor Shortages*: Addressed by better information about market needs and workforce training.

#### Risks Partially Mitigated by Better Information:

1. *Inequality and Involuntary Migration*: While structural changes are needed, better data on disparities and migration flows could improve targeted interventions.

2. *Erosion of Human Rights and Freedoms*: Partially mitigated by exposing abuses and increasing transparency.

3. *Pollution and Biodiversity Loss*: Enhanced by data on ecological impacts and sustainable practices.

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### Quantitative Estimate

Of the *33 global risks*:

- *24 risks (72%)* can be significantly or partially mitigated through better information.

- *9 risks (28%)* have limited correlation with information (the weather, volcano's, earthquakes).

### Conclusion

Approximately *72% of the identified global risks could be better resolved or mitigated by improving information quality, accessibility, and transparency*.

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