Shared symbolic models ARE shared generative models in the free-energy-principle sense. Groups that align their generative models achieve emergent collective intelligence. Communication density is the mechanism by which agents align generative models. Narratives function as active inference mechanisms enabling groups to coordinate action, predict outcomes, and minimize collective surprise. This formally unifies Blackmore (memetics), Ansary (constellations), Friston (FEP), and Bak (SOC) under one framework.
Strongest rival: The formal identification of symbolic models with FEP generative models is a category error - generative models are mathematical objects in Bayesian inference while symbolic models are sociolinguistic constructs, and the mapping is metaphorical not formal
Created
2026-08-12T22:22:55.935Z
Sources
2- Narratives serve as shared generative models that enable groups to coordinate action, predict outcomes, and minimize collective surprise. Storytelling is a fund
Bouizegarene, Ramstead, Constant, Friston et al (2024) - Narrative as active inference. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1345480 - Collective intelligence emerges when multiple agents share generative models and minimize free energy jointly. Groups that align their generative models achieve
Kaufmann, Gupta & Taylor (2021) - An Active Inference Model of Collective Intelligence. Entropy. https://doi.org/10.3390/e23070830
Connections
4Related 4
- A metanarrative IS a memeplex: a co-adapted complex of memes that survive better together than alone. Blackmore shows that memeplexes use sp
- Self-organized criticality (Bak) is the formal mechanism underlying social constellation dynamics (Ansary). Constellations self-organize to
- Under the free-energy principle, a social constellation is a living system: it maintains a Markov blanket (the boundary between social self
- Multiagent AI systems exhibit four emergent safety problems not present in individual models: (1) sycophancy amplification where agents conv