Everyone should pay closer attention to control information theory. I think it will eventually be able to do some heavy lifting in regards to mind/consciousness. Either way, information to me seems more primary than energy, matter, time, and space. Understanding how it is used by living systems to formulate goals could help us understand how mind generates phenomena like meaning and being.
Information theory on black holes is where it's at. Indeed, the event horizon of black holes may be where we reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity. It's a great playground for theorists.
No problem. I'm sure you'll have no problem, Corning is a great writer and explainer of difficult concepts. If you're interested in control information theory I suggest reading Part III of Holistic Darwinism.