Distributed Cognitive Network

A Reference Architecture for Accumulating Cognition

The Distributed Cognitive Network (DCN) is an architecture in which a persistent local Mind coordinates specialized intelligences, records successful cognitive organization as K-lines, verifies external execution when required, and compiles expensive deliberation into reusable cognitive artifacts.

The central thesis is:

The scarce resource is not tokens. It is proven problem-solving capability.

The architecture separates cognition, authority, evidence, economics, and execution so each can evolve independently while remaining interoperable through the Cognitive ABI.

Reading paths

Architecture: begin with Architectural Principles, then Volumes I, II, V, VI, and VII.

Implementers: read Volumes II, V, VII, VIII, X, XI, and XII alongside the executable schemas and conformance suite.

Economics and verification: read Volumes III, IV, IX, and X.

Executive overview: read Volume XIII after Architectural Principles.

Canonical layers

Mind / Applications
       │
DCN Runtime + Cognitive Kernel
       │
Kline + Cognitive Compiler
       │
Cognitive ABI
       │
Experts / Artifacts / MCP / A2A
       │
Actum Compute
       │
Actum + Evidence Systems

The network shares cognition; each local Mind decides what becomes active.