Infrastructure · Data Structures
MechanisticDesignProposal
Dialectic blueprint of a system mechanism with temporal projections
Definition
Mechanism
A structured blueprint for a systemic Solution that addresses a Problem in a System. It goes beyond a standard proposal by requiring the definition of a core mechanism—the specific leverage point and causal chain used to alter system behavior. The proposal integrates the 'Why it Works' (defense) and 'Why it Fails' (attack) dialectic, assessing attached Risks, along with medium-term implementation and long-term vision projections.
Invariants
- `why_it_fails` names specific conditions under which the mechanism breaks, not a generic caveat.
- `core_mechanism` states how A causes B, not that A and B move together.
- `what_is_new` names the solutions or practice it is compared with and the contribution they lack.
- Carries both `medium_term` and `long_term_vision`.
Risks
Failure modes
Pro-forma dialectic
`why_it_fails` is filled with a token caveat, so the attack side is nominal.
Correlation as mechanism
`core_mechanism` names a co-movement rather than a causal chain, which makes the leverage point unactionable.
Unassessed {{risk}}
the attached risks are listed but not weighed against the projections.
Overclaimed novelty
`what_is_new` is set against a weak or outdated comparison, so the contribution looks larger than it is.
Relationships
Builds on
References
Quantified potential for negative outcome
Yields
The fractal unit of completed work
Used by
Yields
Mind
Agent that architects mechanistic design proposals
Mind
Generate -> Check -> Optimize -> Propose
Reference
Data schema
{
"type": "object",
"required": [
"label",
"design_principles",
"core_mechanism",
"how_it_works",
"what_is_new",
"why_it_works",
"why_it_fails",
"medium_term",
"long_term_vision"
],
"properties": {
"label": {
"type": "string",
"description": "A concise, evocative name for the solution (e.g., 'Parametric Storm-Trigger Retirement')"
},
"design_principles": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The guiding philosophy behind the design. What mental model or heuristic drives this solution?"
},
"core_mechanism": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The specific leverage point and causal chain. What is the ONE thing that makes this work?"
},
"how_it_works": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Concrete operational description. Step-by-step: what happens when this is deployed?"
},
"what_is_new": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The novel contribution, stated against named existing solutions or practice. What does this do that they cannot? Why hasn't this been done before?"
},
"why_it_works": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The dialectic defense. Steel-man argument for why this mechanism will succeed."
},
"why_it_fails": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The dialectic attack. Pre-mortem: what are the failure modes, risks, and unintended consequences?"
},
"medium_term": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Implementation trajectory for 1-3 years. What does adoption look like? What ecosystem changes occur?"
},
"long_term_vision": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The end-state aspiration. If this succeeds fully, what does the world look like in 10+ years?"
}
}
}