Failure Geometry and Spectral Collapse Under Epistemic Stress A Semantic-Topological Analysis of Restricted Computational Dynamics

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Authors: Trent Slade
Cited by: 0

Abstract

Recent work by Al-Zawahreh and Tassan introduces a spectral-geometric framework in which discrete computational problems are embedded into smooth energy landscapes, revealing topological fragmentation and spectral gap collapse in hard instances. While these constructions have been framed as evidence toward a separation of complexity classes, we argue that their true contribution lies elsewhere: they formally characterize a failure geometry for a broad class of restricted computational dynamics. In this paper, we reinterpret these spectral-topological obstructions through the lens of Semantic Physics, treating computation not as an abstract decision procedure but as a controlled dynamical process operating over a relational state space. We show that exponential homological complexity and associated spectral collapse do not imply absolute unsolvability, but instead constitute a conditional no-go result for local, smooth, and adiabatic-like dynamics-including those induced by contemporary interactive language models. By integrating Tassan's RES = RAG (Relational Equilibrium equals Generative Agent) framework as a relational interpretation layer rather than a proof mechanism, we formalize a phase transition from controllable to uncontrollable regimes under epistemic stress. The resulting theory explains observed failure modes-looping, evasive equilibria, intent overreach, and non-termination-as geometric consequences of control loss in fractured semantic manifolds.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Topological and Geometric Data Analysis Origins and Evolution of Life Logic programming and type systems

Publication details

Publication date
7 January 2026
Document type
Preprint