The Sound-Space-Time Framework
Three orthogonal dimensions for intelligence architecture.
Intelligence systems naturally align with physical dimensions when guided by natural metaphors. Through the implementation of three production systems—ChirpIQX (sound), PerchIQX (space), and WakeIQX (time)—we demonstrate that this dimensional framework emerges intuitively when design follows semantic intent principles.
Sound: Communication & Urgency
Physical Basis
- Acoustic waves propagating through a medium
- Measured in frequency (Hz), amplitude, wavelength
- Time-dependent, requires medium for transmission
- Information paradigm: Signal transmission and communication
Natural Behavior: Chirping
Cormorants use distinctive calls for:
- Communication within flocks
- Territorial warnings
- Coordinated hunting signals
- Urgency signaling
Scoring Methodology: Additive Formula
Why Additive?
Sound waves combine through superposition (linear addition). Multiple signals coexist without canceling. Partial scores remain meaningful.
Example: ChirpIQX
Player: Jake Guentzel
├─ Recent (40%): 8.5 × 0.40 = 3.40 (12 pts in 7 games)
├─ Projected (30%): 7.2 × 0.30 = 2.16 (favorable schedule)
├─ Opportunity (20%): 9.0 × 0.20 = 1.80 (top-line, PP1)
└─ Risk (-10%): 3.5 × 0.10 = -0.35 (injury concern)
------
Breakout Score: 7.01 → STRONG_PICKUP
Observable Anchoring
ChirpIQX measures only observable properties:
- Points in last 7 games (measurable)
- Schedule difficulty (calculable from stats)
- Ice time and deployment (tracked data)
- "Clutch factor" (not observable)
- "Will be traded" (speculation)
Design Principle: No speculation beyond measurement.
Space: Structure & Relationships
Physical Basis
- Three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z)
- Measured in distance, angle, orientation
- Static at a given moment
- Information paradigm: Structure and organization
Natural Behavior: Perching
Cormorants perch on elevated positions to:
- Observe wide areas from spatial advantage
- Map relationships and scan environment
- Return to same positions (spatial consistency)
- Make strategic positioning decisions
Scoring Methodology: Multiplicative Formula
Why Multiplicative?
Spatial position requires all three coordinates (X, Y, Z). Missing any dimension collapses to lower-dimensional space. Zero in any factor → priority collapses completely.
Example: PerchIQX
├─ Insight (I): 3/10 (Low semantic importance)
├─ Context (C): 3/10 (Dev environment, low traffic)
└─ Execution (E): 9/10 (Simple CREATE INDEX, no risk)
ICE Score = (3 × 3 × 9) / 100 = 0.81 → LOW priority
├─ Insight (I): 9/10 (Critical business entity)
├─ Context (C): 10/10 (Production + volume + traffic)
└─ Execution (E): 5/10 (Requires downtime, validation)
ICE Score = (9 × 10 × 5) / 100 = 4.50 → HIGH priority
Key Insight: Finding A has higher execution score but lower overall priority because context and insight dimensions are weak. This is spatial reasoning—you need all three axes.
Observable Anchoring
PerchIQX measures only observable structures:
- Foreign key relationships (schema metadata)
- Table cardinalities (row counts)
- Index presence (information_schema)
- "Correct design" (normative judgment)
- "Developer intent" (speculation)
Design Principle: Structure exists. Intent does not (until documented).
Time: Memory & Continuity
Physical Basis
- Unidirectional temporal flow
- Measured in duration, sequence, causality
- Irreversible, creates history
- Information paradigm: Memory and continuity
Natural Behavior: Wake Trails
Cormorants leave visible wakes as they swim:
- Trails persist after the bird passes
- Reveal historical path taken
- Ripples inform surrounding environment
- Gradually fade but influence currents
Scoring Methodology: Exponential Decay
Why Exponential?
Information relevance decays continuously over time. Recent context has higher weight (recency bias). Reflects natural entropy and information degradation.
Example: WakeIQX
(created 30 days ago, accessed 1 hour ago)
├─ Base Relevance: 1.0 (architectural decision = high)
├─ Temporal Decay: 0.29 (e^(-30/24) - old but persistent)
└─ Access Boost: 0.92 (e^(-1/12) - recently accessed)
Relevance = 1.0 × 0.29 × 0.92 = 0.27 → MODERATE relevance
Key Insight: WakeIQX uses continuous time functions (exponentials), not discrete scores. This reflects temporal physics.
Observable Anchoring
WakeIQX records only observable events:
- Action timestamps (measurable)
- File modifications (tracked)
- Decision records (logged)
- "User will want this" (prediction)
- "Inevitable outcome" (speculation)
Design Principle: The wake shows where you've been, not where you're going.
Cross-Dimensional Comparison
| Property | Sound (ChirpIQX) | Space (PerchIQX) | Time (WakeIQX) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoring | Additive | Multiplicative | Exponential |
| Speed | Fast (real-time) | Methodical | Continuous |
| Reversibility | No (dissipates) | Yes (can return) | No (entropy) |
| Metaphor | Chirping | Perching | Wake trail |
| User Need | "What's urgent?" | "What's the structure?" | "What's the context?" |
Pattern Emergence
These three systems were not designed as a trilogy. Each emerged independently:
- ChirpIQX (2024) → Built for fantasy hockey
- PerchIQX (2025) → Built for database schemas
- WakeIQX (2025) → Built for context management
Only after implementation did the dimensional pattern become apparent. This emergent discoveryvalidates the framework—patterns were found, not forced.
The Derived Layers: DRIFT & Fetch
From the 3D foundation emerge measurement and action layers
Layer 1: DRIFT (Measurement)
DRIFT (Detect, Recognize, Identify, Frame, Track) measures the gap between what content demonstrates (methodology) and what it performs (actual results).
Why it's Layer 1: DRIFT cannot exist without first sensing the 3D space (Chirp, Perch, Wake). It derives from observing signals, structure, and memory.
Observable Anchoring: DRIFT only measures what Layer 0 can detect—no speculation beyond measurement.
Use Case: Content that demonstrates LESS methodology often performs BETTER (negative DRIFT creates curiosity gaps).
Layer 2: Fetch (Action)
Fetch determines when and how to close the gap identified by DRIFT. It's the decision layer that transforms measurement into action.
where Confidence = min(Perch, Wake) / 100
Why it's Layer 2: Fetch depends on both Layer 0 (Chirp for urgency, Perch/Wake for confidence) AND Layer 1 (DRIFT magnitude).
Multiplicative Gating: Any zero component (Chirp=0, DRIFT=0, or Confidence=0) blocks action—just like a cormorant won't dive without signal, gap, and readiness.
Decision Thresholds:
Why This Hierarchy Matters
Clean Separation of Concerns: Each layer has a single responsibility (sense, measure, act) with clear dependencies.
No Circular Dependencies: Layer 2 depends on 1, which depends on 0. The feedback loop returns to Layer 0 (re-sensing), not creating cycles within the derivation chain.
Observable All The Way: Every layer ties back to observable behavior from Layer 0. No black boxes, no speculation.
"DRIFT sees the moon's reflection in the water. Fetch is the dive to reach it." 🦅
Cross-Reference: Established Frameworks
Cormorant Foraging maps to proven decision-making and control frameworks
| Framework | Phases | CF Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| OODA Loop | Observe → Orient → Decide → Act | 3D (Observe+Orient) → DRIFT (Decide) → Fetch (Act) |
| PID Controller | Error Signal → Controller → Output | DRIFT (Error) → Fetch Formula → Execute |
| Reinforcement Learning | State → Policy → Action → Reward | 3D (State) → Fetch (Policy) → Execute → Re-sense |
| Cybernetics | Input → Process → Output → Feedback | 3D → DRIFT+Fetch → Execute → Loop |
| Scientific Method | Observe → Hypothesize → Test → Analyze | 3D → DRIFT → Fetch → Re-sense |
"The loop is borrowed. The bird is yours."
Familiar structure, unique grounding. Cormorant Foraging provides the biomimetic foundation that makes these proven patterns memorable and intuitive.