The IDM Spiral Model: A Framework for Mapping Human Drift and Contextual Decay in Automated Systems

The Intent–Drift–Meaning (IDM) Spiral Model is a conceptual framework for analyzing how human intent transforms into meaning within automated and high-efficiency systems. The model describes meaning as a dynamic, non-linear process shaped by repeated interactions between human intent and structurally compressed environments. IDM formalizes the phenomenon of Context Collapse, defined as the reduction of multidimensional human context into simplified, machine-legible representations. Within this process, the model distinguishes between stochastic variation and directional Human Drift, understood as cumulative semantic adaptation toward systemic constraints. This working paper presents the canonical structure of the IDM Spiral, including its core definitions, spiral logic, and analytical layers. It introduces Mode HØ9 as a qualitative methodological lens for identifying early-stage semantic reorientation prior to stabilization into new systemic baselines. The IDM model is intended as an interpretive and diagnostic tool for studying contextual decay, semantic drift, and meaning formation in automated socio-technical environments.