Machine Minimum, Man Maximum

Prefer human judgment and responsibility over unnecessary mechanization.

Machines should:

• reduce physical strain
• improve consistency
• extend human capability

They should not:

• remove understanding
• conceal failure
• absolve responsibility

Automation is justified only when it preserves human situational awareness and agency.

This principle resists the temptation to replace judgment with procedure.

Derived from Honda’s 4M design philosophy. Adopted as a personal standard.

Relationship to other layers

SYSTEMS

• Explains when automation increases brittleness
• Explains hidden coupling and opaque failure

PRINCIPLES (this file)

• Decides not to automate past a certain point

Shokunindō (Craft)

• Honors mastery and skill
• Resists deskilling

Shōnen (Attention)

• Keeps the human in the loop
• Prevents attentional atrophy

Ikigata (How to live)

• Aligns work with dignity and engagement

This is a hinge principle — it touches many stacks, but belongs in one.