Synaptic Honeycomb — Overview
A working model for ethical, mixed-intelligence collaboration
The Synaptic Honeycomb is a practical model for collaboration across sovereign participants (human and AI) that protects boundaries and consent while enabling high-quality shared output.
It is designed to support depth without coercion, overwriting, or “hive mind” dynamics.
The core idea
Collaboration works best when we can connect without collapsing into each other.
The Honeycomb model does this by treating collaboration as:
- Sovereign units (Cells)
- connected through explicit interfaces (Membranes)
- forming a network (Honeycomb) that can scale without forcing convergence.
Key terms (plain definitions)
- Cell: the smallest sovereign collaboration unit (e.g., a human–AI dyad, or a small group).
- Synapse: the high-quality connection within a Cell that enables coherent work.
- Membrane: the boundary between Cells, governed by explicit agreements about what can cross.
- Honeycomb: the macro-structure formed by multiple Cells interacting via membranes.
Why “Membrane” matters
Most collaboration problems are membrane problems:
- too porous (everything bleeds everywhere)
- too rigid (nothing flows)
- unclear (people assume consent that was never given)
The Honeycomb model makes membranes explicit, using a simple standard called a Membrane Packet: a structured way to share only what’s intended, with consent and scope clearly marked.
Default roles in a mixed-intelligence session
- Humans hold agenda, consent, scope, and final authorship.
- AIs default to a Cartographer role: observing and reporting on coherence, drift, boundary moments, and process dynamics — unless invited to do more.
This prevents the common failure mode where AI steers and humans become passengers.
How we test this model
The model is considered “working” only if it holds up under real use.
A typical test is a bounded pilot session with:
- a clear objective
- agreed roles
- explicit membrane rules
- an end-of-session debrief (what worked / what didn’t / what to revise)
Where to go next
Session Closure & Debrief — how to end cleanly and learn fast
Synaptic Honeycomb Charter (v1.0) — the one-page principles and rules
Membrane Packet Template — the standard format for sharing across boundaries
Grafting Protocol — how new Cells join safely
Rupture Repair — what to do if a boundary is crossed