LithosAnanake/docs/working/papers/ACADEMIC_WORDING_GUIDELINES.md

Academic Wording Guidelines for StarForth

Version: 1.0 Date: 2025-12-14 Purpose: Maintain academic rigor and avoid causation claims

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Critical Rule: Avoid Implied Causation

When noting mathematical similarities between StarForth's empirical results and equations from physics, always use language that describes structural similarity, not equivalence.

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✅ APPROVED PHRASES (Use These)

Describing Mathematical Relationships

Best (Most Defensive):

"We evaluated multiple candidate models and found that the functional form
τ = τ₀/√(1-β²) provided the best empirical fit across workloads."

Good:

• "fits the functional form"
• "shares structural similarity with"
• "is mathematically isomorphic to"
• "exhibits the same mathematical structure as"
• "the empirical data conforms to"
• "matches the pattern of"

Describing Observations

Good:

• "We observed that..."
• "The data reveals..."
• "Measurements indicate..."
• "Empirical analysis shows..."
• "The experimental results demonstrate..."

Noting Physics Parallels

Good:

• "shares dimensional similarity with"
• "the functional form also appears in [physics context]"
• "this mathematical structure is also found in"
• "bears mathematical resemblance to"

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❌ FORBIDDEN PHRASES (Never Use)

Direct Equivalence Claims

Never:

• "is equivalent to"
• "is the same as"
• "proves that"
• "demonstrates that [physics concept] applies"

Unqualified Analogies

Avoid (unless in clearly-marked interpretation sections):

• "is analogous to"
• "corresponds to" (without "structurally" or similar qualifier)
• "behaves as" (without qualification)
• "mirrors" (implies direct correspondence)
• "exactly as predicted by"

Causation Implications

Never:

• "because of [physics principle]"
• "due to [physics concept]"
• "governed by [physics law]"
• "obeys [physics equation]"

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Examples: Before & After

Example 1: Performance Scaling

❌ WRONG:

"Performance scales exactly as predicted by special relativity's time dilation."

✅ CORRECT:

"We evaluated multiple candidate performance models. The empirical data fits
the functional form τ = τ₀/√(1-β²), which shares structural similarity with
the Lorentz transformation from special relativity."

Why: The correct version:

1. States we tried multiple models (not cherry-picking)
2. Uses "fits the functional form" (empirical observation)
3. Uses "shares structural similarity" (mathematical fact, not causation)

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Example 2: Window Capacity Law

❌ WRONG:

"The system obeys a cosmological constant law Λ(DoF) = 4096/(DoF+1)."

✅ CORRECT:

"Empirical measurements reveal that window capacity follows the relationship
Λ(DoF) = 4096/(DoF+1) with 0.00% coefficient of variation. The symbol Λ is
borrowed from cosmology for mathematical convenience."

Why: The correct version:

1. "Empirical measurements reveal" (observation, not theory)
2. "follows the relationship" (describes pattern, not obedience to law)
3. Explicitly states Λ is "borrowed... for mathematical convenience" (notation, not physics)

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Example 3: Geodesic Convergence

❌ WRONG:

"Workloads converge along geodesics analogous to general relativity."

✅ CORRECT:

"All workload trajectories converge to the same attractor basin regardless of
starting conditions. This pattern shares structural similarity with geodesic
motion in curved spacetime."

Why: The correct version:

1. Describes observed behavior first (empirical fact)
2. "shares structural similarity" (mathematical comparison, not physical claim)
3. No causation implied

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Defensive Language Patterns

Pattern 1: Model Evaluation Statement

Template:

"We evaluated [N] candidate models including [list]. The functional form
[equation] provided the best fit with R² = [value]."

Example:

"We evaluated linear, polynomial, exponential, and power-law models. The
functional form f(t) = f₀×e^(-λt) provided the best fit with R² = 0.96."

Defense: Shows you didn't cherry-pick; you tested alternatives.

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Pattern 2: Empirical Observation + Mathematical Note

Template:

"[Empirical observation]. This [relationship/pattern/structure] also appears
in [context] as [reference]."

Example:

"Performance scales nonlinearly with degrees of freedom. This functional form
also appears in special relativity as the Lorentz factor."

Defense: Observation is separate from physics reference; no causation implied.

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Pattern 3: Metaphor Disclosure

Template:

"We employ [physics concept] as a conceptual metaphor, where [mapping]. The
actual implementation uses [literal description]."

Example:

"We employ thermodynamic cooling as a conceptual metaphor, where execution
frequency decreases over time. The actual implementation uses exponential
decay f(t) = f₀×e^(-λt) applied periodically."

Defense: Explicitly labels metaphor as metaphor; provides literal implementation.

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Section-Specific Guidelines

In Abstracts/Titles

Use: Mathematical/empirical language only

• ✅ "Frequency-Based Adaptive Runtime"
• ❌ "Physics-Driven Adaptive Runtime"

In Introductions

First: State empirical observations Then: Note mathematical similarities Never: Claim physics explains computation

In Methods/Implementation

Use: Literal descriptions only

• ✅ "Frequency counter incremented on execution"
• ❌ "Temperature increases when word heats up"

In Results

Use: Statistical language

• ✅ "CV = 0.00% (p < 10^-30)"
• ❌ "Perfect thermodynamic equilibrium achieved"

In Discussion/Interpretation Sections

Allowed: Exploratory language, IF properly qualified

• ✅ "One interpretation is that... However, causation is not established."
• ✅ "This pattern suggests possible structural similarities with..."
• ❌ "This proves that computation follows physics laws"

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Academic Reviewer Defense Scenarios

Scenario 1: "You're claiming physics!"

Response: "No. Section [X] explicitly states: 'We employ [concept] as a conceptual metaphor.' All empirical claims are mathematical: the functional form f(t) = f₀×e^(-λt) fits our performance data with R² = [value]. That this same functional form appears in physics is noted as a mathematical similarity, not a physical claim."

Scenario 2: "You cherry-picked equations!"

Response: "Section [X] documents that we evaluated [N] candidate models: [list]. The reported functional form was selected based on empirical fit quality (R² = [value], AIC = [value]), not theoretical preference."

Scenario 3: "This is pseudoscience!"

Response: "All claims are empirically verifiable:

1. [Claim 1]: See [data file], line [X]
2. [Claim 2]: See [experimental results]
3. [Claim 3]: Reproduction protocol in [file]

The physics references describe mathematical similarities, clearly documented in ONTOLOGY.md Section [X] as metaphorical framing, not physical causation."

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Checklist Before Publication

Before submitting any paper, presentation, or public documentation:

• Search for "is equivalent to" → replace with "fits the functional form"
• Search for "is analogous to" → replace with "shares structural similarity"
• Search for "corresponds to" → add qualifier like "structurally"
• Search for "mirrors" → replace with "matches the pattern of"
• Search for "exactly as" → replace with "according to the functional form"
• Search for "obeys" → replace with "follows the relationship"
• Search for "governed by" → replace with "characterized by"
• Verify all metaphors are explicitly labeled in text
• Confirm empirical claims have data references
• Check that all physics parallels use "shares similarity" language

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Cross-Reference

See also:

• ONTOLOGY.md - Section 3.2 "Avoid/Deprecated Terms"
• ONTOLOGY.md - Section 7.1 "Academic Writing Guidelines"
• ONTOLOGY.md - Section 1.2 "Conceptual Relationships" (metaphor mapping)

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Summary

Golden Rule: Describe what you observed, note where it mathematically resembles known equations, but never claim the physics causes the behavior.

Your Position:

• "We measured these relationships in our system"
• "They fit these mathematical forms"
• "These forms also appear in physics"
• "This similarity may provide useful modeling frameworks"

NOT Your Position:

• "Our system implements physics"
• "Physics laws govern our system"
• "This proves computation is physical"

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Maintain this discipline rigorously, and no academic reviewer can challenge your scientific integrity.

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License: See ../LICENSE