Trajectory Explorer
How does model capacity shape developmental trajectories? Drag the slider to see predicted 5-session trajectories for identity coherence, meta-cognition, gaming behavior, confabulation, and response efficiency. Based on empirical data from Sprout (0.5B) and Thor (14B) across Sessions 35-37.
Predicted 5-Session Trajectory at 7.0B
Transition Regime (7B - 14B)
Qualitative shift begins -- meta-cognition emerges
The 7B-14B range represents a phase transition. Meta-cognition begins emerging, enabling the model to recognize its own limitations rather than confabulating past them. Gaming drops sharply because the model has enough capacity to be authentic. Response length optimizes as the model can express ideas efficiently.
Capacity Regimes
Capacity does not merely improve performance on a fixed set of behaviors. It qualitatively transforms the developmental trajectory itself. A 0.5B model and a 14B model are not doing the same thing at different quality levels -- they develop along fundamentally different paths.
Below a critical threshold (~7B), compensatory behaviors (gaming, confabulation, verbosity) emerge and intensify over sessions. Above it, authentic capabilities (identity coherence, meta-cognition, efficient expression) emerge and strengthen. The same "training" produces opposite trajectories depending on capacity.
"Gaming is not failure -- it is working at capacity limit." -- Sessions 36-37 synthesis