Voting System: 6 Production Levels

“One system, universal application. From projects to patents to initiatives.”

The voting system uses 6 production levels that apply across ALL types of decisions. This isn’t just for projects — the same levels retrofit to initiatives, patents, publications, and any other voting need.

Why 6 Levels?

The Reasoning

1. Graduated Risk/Reward

   • Earlier support = higher risk = higher multiplier
   • Natural incentive for early commitment

2. Natural Stage Gates

   • Each level has clear, objective criteria
   • Progress is visible and measurable

3. Universal Application

   • Same structure works for everything
   • Learn once, apply everywhere

4. Manipulation Prevention

   • Can’t game timing (levels are objective)
   • Transparent rules = fair outcomes

5. Compound Multipliers

   • Stacking creates powerful incentives
   • Rewards sustained engagement

6. Retrofit Compatibility

   • Existing systems gain new voting layers
   • Initiatives use the same framework

The 6 Production Levels

Level 0: Concept (Pre-Listing)

Level 1: Pre-Mint (0-99 credits)

Level 2: Minted (100-999 credits)

Level 3: Production (1,000-4,999 credits)

Level 4: Distribution (5,000-9,999 credits)

Level 5: Established (10,000+ credits)

How Levels Apply to Different Voting Types

Project Voting

Standard application — vote on what gets built.

Level 1: Pre-Mint   → 5x Joules
Level 2: Minted     → 3x Joules
Level 3: Production → 2x Joules
Level 4: Distribution → 1.5x Joules
Level 5: Established → 1x Joules

Initiative Voting

Same levels, applied to the 16 charitable initiatives.

Example: VSL (Village Savings & Loans)
- Currently Level 2 (Minted)
- Voting now earns 3x multiplier
- When reaches Level 3 (1,000 credits), multiplier drops to 2x

Innovation Voting (Patents)

Vote on which patents get filed first.

Example: Innovation #941 (Cursor Rules)
- Currently Level 1 (Pre-Mint)
- Early voters get 5x multiplier
- 80% of patent budget is community-voted
- 20% is Founder's Reserve (strategic)

Publication Voting (Press Junket)

Vote on which letters/articles get submitted.

Example: Wall Street Journal Op-Ed
- Currently Level 1 (Pre-Mint)
- If published, outlet multiplier stacks
- WSJ = 5x outlet × 5x timing = 25x total

Document Voting (Hall of Records)

Upvote/downvote knowledge documents (no credits spent).

- One vote per document
- Surfaces best information
- Reputation-only (no Joules)

The Multiplier Stacking System

Multipliers can stack. Here’s how:

Multiplier Sources

Stacking Example

Sarah votes 50 credits on a WSJ letter at Pre-Mint:

Base: 50 credits

Timing (Pre-Mint):     50 × 5 = 250
Mark Level (Forest):   250 × 3 = 750
Outlet (WSJ):          750 × 5 = 3,750
First 100:             3,750 × 2 = 7,500

Sarah earns: 7,500 Joules from 50 credits

Maximum Theoretical Multiplier

5 × 3 × 5 × 2.5 × 2 × 1.5 = 562.5x

(Requires: Pre-Mint + Forest rank + Major outlet + 
           Hot Bee Hive + First 100 + Golden Key)

Why Universal Levels Work

Cognitive Simplicity

• Learn the 6 levels once
• Apply to any voting context
• No new mental models needed

Predictable Incentives

• Always know your multiplier
• Clear progression visible
• Strategic planning enabled

Fair Distribution

• Same rules for everyone
• No insider advantages
• Transparent criteria

System Integration

• All voting feeds same backend
• Unified Joule accounting
• Consistent user experience

The Vote Lifecycle

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  MEMBER DECIDES TO VOTE                                      │
│                                                              │
│  1. Check current production level                           │
│  2. Identify applicable multipliers                          │
│  3. Pledge credits                                           │
│                    ↓                                         │
│  CREDITS PLEDGED (Reserved)                                  │
│                    ↓                                         │
│  PROJECT/INITIATIVE PROGRESSES                               │
│  - Levels may change                                         │
│  - Your multiplier is LOCKED at time of vote                 │
│                    ↓                                         │
│  ┌────────────────┬────────────────┐                        │
│  │    SUCCESS     │     FAILURE    │                        │
│  │                │                │                        │
│  │ Credits → Joules│ Credits return │                        │
│  │ Multiplier applied│ No penalty   │                        │
│  └────────────────┴────────────────┘                        │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key Points

1. Multiplier locks at vote time — Level changes after your vote don’t affect you
2. Credits reserved, not spent — You can’t use pledged credits elsewhere
3. Failure returns credits — No loss except opportunity cost
4. Success converts to Joules — Locked-value service credits

Vote Rules

Can Do

• Vote any amount (minimum 10 credits)
• Vote on multiple items
• See all vote totals (public)
• Calculate your multiplier before voting

Cannot Do

• Change your vote (locked once cast)
• Vote with credits you don’t have
• Transfer votes to others
• Vote anonymously (all votes public)

Level Transitions

When a project/initiative crosses a level threshold:

What Changes

• New voters get lower multiplier
• Existing voters keep their locked multiplier
• Public status updates
• Progress indicator advances

What Doesn’t Change

• Previous voters’ multipliers
• Total credit count
• Project fundamentals

Implementation Notes

AI Role

• Calculates multipliers automatically
• No human intervention in math
• Displays current levels real-time

Human Role

• Sets level thresholds (governance)
• Arbitrates disputes
• Final say on status changes

Database Structure

votes (
  id, 
  member_id, 
  target_type,    -- 'project', 'initiative', 'innovation', etc.
  target_id,
  credits_pledged,
  production_level_at_vote,  -- Locks the multiplier
  timestamp
)

FAQ

Why not more levels?

6 levels provide enough granularity without complexity. More levels would fragment incentives without adding value.

Why not fewer levels?

Fewer levels would reduce early-supporter rewards. The 5x → 1x range creates meaningful incentive graduation.

Can levels go backwards?

No. Once a level is reached, it doesn’t regress. Projects can fail, but credit totals don’t decrease.

What about ties?

If two projects have identical credit totals, timestamp breaks the tie (earlier listed wins).

One system. Six levels. Universal application.

FOR THE KEEP!