["Marvin Minsky — K-lines, Society of Mind (1986)"]
PROTOCOL
"The name activates the tradition."
K-lines as semantic activation. When you invoke a protocol by name, you activate an entire constellation of knowledge and behavior.
Core Concept
A protocol is a named pattern that the LLM already knows. Invoking it by name activates that knowledge without needing to repeat it.
Why This Works
# Traditional approach: Explain everything"When writing YAML, use natural keys, add comments for humans and LLMs,
keep structure flexible, use semantic naming, allow improvisation..."# [500 tokens of explanation]# K-line approach: Name activates pattern>ApplyYAML-JAZZ# The LLM already knows. One name = 500 tokens compressed.
Minsky's Insight
"A K-line is a wirelike structure that attaches itself to whichever mental agents are active when you solve a problem. When activated later, those agents are partially activated, creating a similar mental state."
— Marvin Minsky, Society of Mind (1986)
MOOLLM protocols ARE K-lines. The name IS the activation vector.
Methods
INVOKE
Activate a protocol by name.
>INVOKEPOSTEL# Activates: "Be liberal in what you accept, conservative in what you emit"# Plus: ASK when uncertain, robustness principles, defensive parsing
DEFINE
Create a new protocol.
>DEFINEWAFFLE-PARTYAS"Celebratory gathering requiring Form WP-7"# Now WAFFLE-PARTY is a K-line that activates this context