Snowball or Thermostat?

Something has moved away from its usual level. Trace whether that change feeds further change in the same direction or activates a response that pushes back.

A nudge. Its consequence. Amplify or correct?

Follow one consequence of a deviation until it returns. A reinforcing circuit amplifies the original change; a balancing circuit recruits correction. Neither label means good or bad. Establish the return path and delays before using the classification, and allow competing loops or open dynamics.

Try this when…

Will this small increase keep building?

Is the process correcting itself or getting away from us?

More success seems to make the next success easier.

The reaction is pushing back toward a usual level.

What you can use it for

Growing participation

Inspect whether accumulated activity attracts the resources for another turn.

Resource regulation

Trace whether low stock triggers replenishment that returns it toward a target.

Workload patterns

Distinguish compounding backlog from a functioning corrective response.