Systems Do Not Fail for Lack of Energy: Interface Overload and the Four-Degree Stability Limit

Interface Laws (CMEM Minimal Set) A terminal diagnostic seal This record defines a minimal set of interface laws that determine whether a system can remain operable without collapse. It does not describe evolution, optimization, progress, intelligence, or efficiency. It does not propose mechanisms, models, or intervention strategies. It records only when stability is no longer admissible. ⸻ Interface Law I — Saturation Law Every interface must possess a natural saturation point. If an interface does not allow a terminal “enough” state, all successful operation is converted into accumulated load. Interfaces without saturation inevitably destabilize the system, regardless of energy availability, technical sophistication, or scale. ⸻ Interface Law II — Pause Law Every stable system must permit interface pause. An interface that cannot be paused, degraded, or safely shut down forces the system into irreversible runtime exhaustion. Systems do not fail during operation. They fail because operation cannot stop. ⸻ Interface Law III — Cascade Law When interface count exceeds the system’s Δt tolerance, failure propagates as a cascade. Once this threshold is crossed, collapse is no longer local. Interfaces amplify each other until coordinated control is lost. ⸻ Seal Statement Systems do not collapse because energy is missing. They collapse because interfaces cannot saturate, pause, or decouple. This record is final at the interface level. No optimization, scaling, or narrative extension can override it. Δt decides. CMEM Framework Collection Link