Drift
The rate of inconsistency accumulation in crystallized meaning
1. Canonical Definition
Drift is the rate at which inconsistencies accumulate over time in crystallized meaning that governs action. Drift occurs when a governing baseline persists across cycles while correction capacity, reference fidelity, or structural alignment are insufficient to maintain consistency under changing conditions. Drift is strictly post-crystallization.
2. Phase and Preconditions
Operates: temporal (post-event)
Requires: crystallized meaning governing action across cycles
Does not require: active interpretation, binding, or response routing
3. Scope and Exclusions
Drift is not:
a force acting within interpretive events
a cause of binding or closure
equivalent to disagreement or error
a psychological state or motivational failure
regulated by transition drivers or stabilizers
4. Structural Role
Drift characterizes the temporal reliability of a governing baseline. It explains how meaning can remain operative while becoming progressively misaligned with reference conditions. Drift does not initiate change on its own; it conditions when Action Determinacy Loss may occur and interpretation must reopen.
5. Authority and Legitimacy Status
Authority relation: neutral
Legitimacy relation: relevant
Drift can accumulate under both legitimate and illegitimate regimes. Its presence does not alter regime classification.
6. Temporal Status
Drift is a rate, not a state or event. It accumulates only while crystallized meaning continues to govern across time and ceases when governance changes, meaning is corrected, or interpretation reopens.
7. Common Category Errors
Treating drift as an event-internal force
Assuming drift causes binding or closure
Confusing drift with conflict or dissent
Treating persistence as evidence of low drift
8. Canonical Cross-References
Crystallization • Meaning Regimes (PCMR / DMR) • Action Determinacy Loss (ADL) • Meaning System • Binding
9. Plain Statement
Drift is how governing meaning slowly becomes unreliable when it persists without sufficient correction.