Catalog overview#
The GSM uses “lenses” to interpret structural vectors, drift signals, and basin positions from different analytical perspectives. Each lens is a view, not a transformation: it highlights specific structural relationships without altering the underlying data. This catalog organizes the lenses into functional groups and clarifies how they interact with the Analyzer pipeline.
Structural lenses#
These lenses interpret the five‑axis vector directly.
- Axis Lens — isolates C, M, O, A, T individually to show which axis is driving coherence or tension.
- Coupling Lens — focuses on cross‑axis physics pairs (C↔O, M↔A, O↔T) to reveal compensatory movement.
- Invariant Lens — highlights which invariants are aligned, strained, or violated.
- Absorptive Lens — evaluates buffering strength and failure signals across structural layers.
These lenses help identify where structural pressure originates and how it propagates.
Temporal lenses#
These lenses anchor structural interpretation in time.
- History Lens — reconstructs past vectors, drift sequences, and structural eras.
- Now Lens — evaluates the current vector, coherence score, and basin identity.
- Future Lens — projects drift, transition likelihood, and basin approach/departure.
Temporal lenses are used heavily in the Triadic Observer and dashboard timelines.
Drift and dynamics lenses#
These lenses interpret movement rather than position.
- Drift Lens — shows Δ[C, M, O, A, T], magnitude, and drift category.
- Force Lens — highlights active physics forces and their directionality.
- Tension Lens — surfaces invariant strain and physics‑based tension accumulation.
- Transition Lens — interprets basin crossings, transition pathways, and cost structures.
These lenses are essential for diagnosing regime shifts and structural instability.
Basin and topology lenses#
These lenses interpret the system’s position within the manifold’s topology.
- Basin Lens — identifies nearest basin, distance, and stability score.
- Gradient Lens — shows the slope of attraction toward or away from basins.
- Boundary Lens — highlights proximity to basin walls and transition thresholds.
These lenses help explain why a system tends to stabilize or drift.
Comparative lenses#
These lenses compare multiple systems or snapshots.
- Vector Comparison Lens — contrasts structural vectors across systems or eras.
- Basin Comparison Lens — compares basin identities and distances.
- Drift Comparison Lens — contrasts drift magnitude and direction across snapshots.
- Coherence Comparison Lens — compares invariant alignment and coherence scores.
Comparative lenses are used in dashboards, teaching modules, and historical analysis.
Narrative lenses#
These lenses translate structural signals into human‑readable interpretation.
- Structural Narrative Lens — summarizes key structural features.
- Drift Narrative Lens — explains why drift occurred and what forces shaped it.
- Basin Narrative Lens — contextualizes basin identity and movement.
- Transition Narrative Lens — describes likely pathways and structural implications.
Narrative lenses are used in dynamic cards, dashboards, and educational materials.
Integration with the Analyzer#
Each lens draws from specific Analyzer outputs:
- structural vectors
- invariant reports
- physics forces
- drift events
- basin classifications
- coherence scores
- observer timelines
Lenses do not compute new values—they interpret existing artifacts through a specific frame.
Extending the catalog#
New lenses can be added when:
- a new structural pattern needs interpretation
- a new educational module requires a simplified view
- a new simulation mode introduces additional dynamics
Extensions must remain substrate‑aligned and avoid embedding normative assumptions.