Principlev1

Coordination costs between agents grow quadratically

Coordination costs between agents grow quadratically (n(n-1)/2) while value grows linearly, establishing a natural upper bound on portfolio size before overhead exceeds benefit.

Why This Is a Principle

Directly applies The number of unique communication channels in a team of n (communication channels formula) to cognitive agents, combined with Working Memory Capacity Limit (working memory limits). This is a mathematical derivation from known axioms about coordination and capacity. Highly confident this is a principle—it's derived, actionable (set portfolio limits), and general.

Source Lessons

L-0598

The cost of agent sprawl

Too many agents create coordination overhead that can exceed their collective value.

Connections

Derived From (4)

AxiomWorking Memory Capacity Limit AxiomThe behavior of a system arises from its structure, not from AxiomThe number of unique communication channels in a team of n AxiomA production system produces results; roughly 94% of

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