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Cormorant Foraging

A Sound-Space-Time Framework for Intelligence System Architecture

Michael Shatny
Independent Researcher
Ontario, Canada
ORCID: 0009-0006-2011-3258
Preprint - arXiv submission in progress January 2025

Abstract

We present Cormorant Foraging, a three-dimensional framework for categorizing and designing intelligence systems through natural metaphors derived from cormorant diving behavior. The framework emerged from the independent development of three distinct, production-ready intelligence systems—ChirpIQX (fantasy sports analysis), PerchIQX (database schema optimization), and WakeIQX (AI context management)—which retrospectively revealed a fundamental pattern: intelligence systems naturally align with three physical dimensions (sound, space, time) corresponding to core information processing paradigms (communication, structure, memory).

The framework maps observable cormorant behaviors to system architectures: chirp (acoustic signaling) represents urgency-driven communication systems with multi-factor scoring; perch (spatial positioning) represents structural analysis systems with relationship mapping; wake (temporal ripples) represents memory systems with causal chain tracking. Each dimension exhibits distinct architectural properties: Sound systems use composite amplitude scoring, Space systems employ multiplicative positional metrics, and Time systems implement sequential propagation patterns.

Through comparative analysis of the three implemented systems, we demonstrate that this dimensional taxonomy is not metaphorical but structural—each dimension imposes specific design constraints that emerge independently yet converge into a unified framework. The framework provides both a taxonomic tool for understanding existing intelligence systems and a generative methodology for designing new ones.

Keywords: Software Architecture, Natural Metaphors, Intelligence Systems, Semantic Intent, Observable Properties, Dimensional Framework

1. Introduction

1.1 Motivation

Intelligence systems—whether AI assistants, database optimizers, or context managers—share fundamental patterns in how they process information. Yet these patterns are often obscured by implementation details, domain-specific terminology, and architectural variations. We sought a unifying framework that could:

  1. Categorize existing intelligence systems along fundamental dimensions
  2. Guide the design of new systems through natural metaphors
  3. Reveal deeper patterns that emerge across different domains
  4. Ground architectural decisions in observable reality (not abstract theory)

1.2 The Emergent Discovery

The Cormorant Foraging framework was not designed upfront. It emerged through the development of three independent systems:

  1. ChirpIQX (2024) - Fantasy hockey intelligence
  2. PerchIQX (2025) - Database schema intelligence
  3. WakeIQX (2025) - Context preservation

Each system was named intuitively based on its domain. Only after implementation did the pattern become apparent:

This emergent pattern suggested a deeper structure: intelligence systems naturally align with fundamental physics dimensions when guided by natural metaphors.

1.3 Contribution

We contribute:

  1. A novel dimensional framework mapping sound-space-time to information processing
  2. Three production-ready implementations demonstrating the framework across different domains
  3. Natural metaphor theory as a design guidance methodology
  4. Empirical evidence that the framework emerges intuitively when design follows semantic intent principles

Empirical Validation: All three systems are deployed in production as of January 2025. ChirpIQX has achieved 78% prediction accuracy in fantasy hockey recommendations with active users. PerchIQX passes 398 automated tests and successfully analyzes complex database schemas. WakeIQX demonstrates significant context preservation in AI interactions.

2. The Foraging Framework

2.1 Dimension 1: SOUND (Communication/Urgency)

Physical Basis: Acoustic waves, frequency, amplitude Information Paradigm: Signal transmission, alerts, notifications Natural Behavior: Chirping, calling, vocalizing

Characteristics

System Manifestation

Intelligence systems in the sound dimension focus on:

Example: ChirpIQX

// Sound dimension: Composite amplitude scoring
const chirpScore = (recent * 0.40) + (streak * 0.30) +
                   (trend * 0.20) + (usage * 0.10);

2.2 Dimension 2: SPACE (Structure/Observation)

Physical Basis: Cartesian coordinates, geometric relationships Information Paradigm: Architecture, organization, patterns Natural Behavior: Perching, observing from elevated positions

Characteristics

System Manifestation

Intelligence systems in the space dimension focus on:

Example: PerchIQX

// Space dimension: Multiplicative positional scoring
const perchICE = (insightScore / 10) * (contextScore / 10) * (easeScore / 10) * 10;

2.3 Dimension 3: TIME (Memory/Continuity)

Physical Basis: Temporal flow, causality, history Information Paradigm: Context, continuity, memory Natural Behavior: Leaving wakes, creating ripple effects

Characteristics

System Manifestation

Intelligence systems in the time dimension focus on:

Example: WakeIQX

// Time dimension: Sequential propagation with decay
const wakeRelevance = baseRelevance * Math.exp(-timeDelta / decayConstant);

3. Comparative Analysis

3.1 Dimensional Characteristics

Dimension Scoring Pattern System Priority Observable Anchor Production System
Sound Additive (40+30+20+10) Urgency & Speed Signal strength, frequency ChirpIQX (10+ tools)
Space Multiplicative (I×C×E) Structure & Position Spatial relationships PerchIQX (5 tools)
Time Sequential decay Continuity & Memory Temporal distance WakeIQX (context mgmt)

3.2 Why Natural Metaphors Work

The framework demonstrates that natural metaphors guide design when grounded in observable properties:

  1. Observable anchoring - Each dimension maps to measurable physical properties
  2. Semantic intent - Natural behaviors encode system purpose
  3. Architectural emergence - Design constraints arise naturally from metaphor
  4. Cross-domain applicability - Same patterns work across different industries
graph TD
    A[Natural Metaphor] --> B[Observable Properties]
    B --> C[Architectural Constraints]
    C --> D[System Design]
    D --> E[Emergent Framework]
    E --> F[Cross-Domain Validation]

    style A fill:#e8f5e8
    style C fill:#e3f2fd
    style E fill:#fff3e0

4. Practical Applications

4.1 Financial Services

Algorithmic Trading (Sound)

Portfolio Architecture (Space)

Customer Lifetime Value (Time)

4.2 Healthcare

Sepsis Detection (Sound)

Care Coordination (Space)

Patient History (Time)

5. Philosophical Foundations

5.1 Physics Alignment

The framework aligns with fundamental physics:

Physics Dimension Information Property System Manifestation
Sound (temporal oscillation) Communication urgency Real-time alerts
Space (geometric position) Structural relationships Architecture analysis
Time (causal flow) Historical continuity Context memory

5.2 Semantic Intent Preservation

Building on previous research (Shatny, 2024), the framework extends semantic intent as SSOT principles:

6. Conclusion

The Cormorant Foraging framework demonstrates that intelligence systems naturally organize along three fundamental dimensions when guided by natural metaphors grounded in observable properties. Through three production-ready implementations across different domains, we show that this dimensional taxonomy emerges intuitively from design intent rather than requiring top-down architectural planning.

Key Contributions

  1. Dimensional framework mapping sound-space-time to information processing
  2. Production validation across three distinct domains
  3. Natural metaphor methodology for system design
  4. Empirical emergence of architectural patterns

Future Directions

References

[1] Shatny, M. (2024). "Semantic Intent as Single Source of Truth: Immutable Governance for AI-Assisted Development." DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17114972

[2] Evans, E. (2003). Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software. Addison-Wesley.

[3] Cockburn, A. (2005). "Hexagonal Architecture." Alistair Cockburn Blog.

Full Framework Documentation: cormorantforaging.dev

Implementation Repositories:

© 2025 semanticintent. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. ORCID: 0009-0006-2011-3258

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