Physics vs. Law: Why Drift Requires a Substrate

Multi-agent drift is physics. Governance is law. Physics does not obey law. Law must anchor physics. The substrate is where physics becomes governable. This paper explains why drift requires a substrate, why physics and law are different registers that require different infrastructure, and why the substrate is the necessary intermediary between the two. Physics explains drift. Law governs drift. The substrate is where physics becomes law. This is the foundational architecture claim of the Coalition Drift Series and of Soft Armor Labs’ APR-Series governance stack.