Hi Patrick
Very important subject matter you deal with, and concisely expressed. I believe your focus on information, consciousness and cosmic origin to be the correct approach - if only there was more of it.
My essay doesn't go into your depth regarding the initial step of existing from nothingness, but covers this area also and extends it. I encourage you to read it and perhaps we can email and discuss further.
My thoughts as I read along - can nothingness and consciousness coexist? probably not...but as you say as soon as there is information there is potential for consciousness and existence is a form of information (your Universal Bit).
I tend to think that any form of information that is not constrained by the speed of light, and therefore classical causality, is potentially conscious. Freedom from the constraints of locality means that information can loop backwards in time, or "on the spot", in the present moment. This can generate an ability to think and choose - free will and creativity.
What is the trigger to existence? I am not sure whether it can be argued by choice. Symmetry is another option. In physics, symmetries can be unstable, particularly if they are of a fundamental kind. As you point out, nothingness has a symmetry between existing and not existing. If nothingness remains in a state of nonexistence, then it remains unstable, but if it cascades to existence, it may become more stable. Frank Wilczek has pointed out that nothing is more unstable than nothingness, because nothingness is so symmetrical.
I gave you a high score
Best regards
Gavin