This kind of sounds like a variation/extension on Leonard Susskind's hologram reality, he mentions in these presentations and lectures[1] that a lot of the idea

This kind of sounds like a variation/extension on Leonard Susskind's hologram reality, he mentions in these presentations and lectures[1] that a lot of the ideas came from Maldacena and the soup can (I hope that's the right video, it's been a while since I watched them, the related videos should offer more if I got it wrong). There's a little more math and explanation in those videos, just look for the ones regarding horizons and the like, though I'm afraid I can't help you with your search for papers. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBPpRqxY8Uw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBPpRqxY8Uw