Finding Maxima in Protocol Constraints

Most people would agree that protocols are a good thing. They scale emergent activity by helping to coordinate base expectations. Without any kinds of protocols, laws and standards, our society–if you could still call it that–would be chaos. Yet an over-reliance, or maybe over growth, of protocols also leads to problems. When we set too many constraints, our systems become fragile; likely to break themselves or their participants. Is there a definition for where this drop of point is, or would something so specific fall into the same trap?

We could take a passable analogy from baking.

Stir the batter ✨just right✨, so your gluten might develop, but DO NOT OVER-MIX.

What does an over-mixed cupcake batter look like? Its traits, the warning signals at the edge of danger? Who’s up adding regression tests into their flour integration?

I do not have answers to these questions–for protocols or cupcakes. Perhaps one approach might be to start with an outcome. Is the protocol adequate to fulfill your initial goal? If so, perhaps it’s time to stop tweaking, back away slowly, and let it run. And repeat for the next target. A few small batches rather than one big failure.

Related? Concepts

• Small Pieces, Loosely Held
• Formality Considered Harmful
• Watershed Two (Tools for Conviviality)
• Easy to Learn, Hard to Master (Game Design)