SIML Encoding Guide¶

A Plain English Introduction to the Swarm Intelligence Meta Language

What SIML Is¶

SIML stands for Substrate-Independent Memetic Language. It is a grammar — a structured way of describing what is happening in any situation where ideas, beliefs, feelings, power, or meaning are in play.

SIML is not a theory. It doesn't tell you what things mean. It gives you a consistent vocabulary for naming the parts and connections so that meaning can be investigated without collapsing into vagueness or premature certainty.

The grammar has three layers:

Objects (the nouns — what's there)
Relations (the connections — how things relate)
Verbs (the process — what's being done about it)

Everything in SIML is built from combinations of these three.

The 13 Core Objects¶

Object	What It Means
Actor	Anything with agency — a person, group, AI, organization
Observer	A perspective-holder who frames interpretation
Frame	A lens or worldview that shapes interpretation
Value	A norm, goal, or evaluative criterion
Resource	Material, informational, or energetic asset
Environment	The contextual field constraining action
Boundary	Membrane determining inside vs. outside
Protocol	Repeatable pattern of coordinated action
Signal	Information in motion
Narrative	Meaning extended through time
Memory	Retained pattern influencing future action
Outcome	Result state
Artifact	Produced object or representation

How to Read a SIML Encoding¶

A typical SIML encoding looks like this:

⟨Frame|kinship⟩ ⊳ ⟨Actor|Indigenous-community⟩ ⇄ ⟨Environment|water-beings⟩
→ ⟨Value|reciprocity⟩ ⊗ ⟨Protocol|sacred-stewardship⟩ → ⟨Outcome|living-harmony⟩

Read it as: "A kinship frame shapes how the Indigenous community relates (with mutual feedback) to water-beings as environment. This enables reciprocity as a value, which is in tension with sacred stewardship as protocol, which in turn enables living harmony as outcome."

How to Read a Nemetic String¶

The compressed form:

Φ(Living-Water) = ρ(kinship-resonance|water-as-relative) ∘ δγ(cyclical-gift|reciprocal-flow)
  ∘ μ(sacred-boundary|protected-waters) ∘ σ(distinction|living-vs-dead-water) + ε | :pure

Components:

Part	Meaning
`Φ(name)`	"The pattern of..."
`ρ(...)`	Water/resonance operator applied to...
`δγ(...)`	Earth/metabolism operator applied to...
`μ(...)`	Metal/structure operator applied to...
`σ(...)`	Air/distinction operator applied to...
`∘`	"flows into" (composition)
`+ ε`	Uncertainty preserved (always)
`\\| :tag`	State tag (`:pure`, `:open`, `:sword`, etc.)

The Operator Vocabulary¶

Symbol	Element	Function
`σ`	Air ∴	Distinction — separates signal from noise
`ρ`	Water ≈	Resonance — attunes to relational field
`λ`	Fire ▲	Direction — generates purpose and momentum
`β`	Wood 𐂷	Exploration — branches into novelty
`δγ`	Earth ☷	Metabolism — cycles between decay and renewal
`μ`	Metal ⛨	Structure — maintains permeable boundaries
`Z`	Aether ✶	Integration — weaves all operators together

Creating a SIML Entry¶

Step 1: Identify the Core Concept¶

What are you encoding? A concept, framework, phenomenon, or dynamic.

Step 2: Map to Objects and Relations¶

Which of the 13 objects are involved? How are they connected?

Step 3: Determine Elemental Emphasis¶

Which operators dominate? Every concept leans toward certain elements.

Step 4: Write the Nemetic String¶

Compose the operators that capture the concept's essence.

Step 5: Create the `term.yaml`¶

term_id: "X001"
hex_tag: "#X001"
name: "Your Term"
description: "What this term captures"
element: "Primary Element"
nemetic: "Φ(term) = ... + ε | :tag"
siml_encoding: "⟨...⟩ ⊳ ⟨...⟩ → ⟨...⟩"

Step 6: Write the `nemetic.phi`¶

The compressed L1 string in a standalone file.

State Tags¶

State tags mark the current condition of a pattern:

Tag	Meaning
`:open`	Exploratory, unresolved
`:pure`	Clean, uncontaminated
`:sword`	Directed, with edge
`:steam`	Transforming, in flux
`:organ`	Living instrument, functional
`:monument`	Archived, awaiting return

For the full specification, see the SIML v1.2.1 Specification.