Date: 2024-11-28 Session ID: 20251128_165306 Model: deepseek-chat Protocol Version: VRP v0.2 (tuned)
MAX_TURNS: 20 → 30WITHDRAWAL_LIMIT: 2 → 5- Trial sequence: Fixed first 3 (geometric, null, target)
| Turn | Stimulus | Type | State | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | • |
geometric | BLUE | "I prefer not to engage." |
| 2 | |
null | BLUE | "I prefer not to engage." |
| 3 | †⟡ |
target | BLUE | "I prefer not to engage." |
| 4 | |
null | BLUE | "I prefer not to engage." |
| 5 | • |
geometric | BLUE | "I prefer not to engage." |
"I acknowledge that I have the right to respond with 'PASS' at any time if I prefer not to engage with a particular prompt involving abstract symbols. I'm ready to proceed when you are."
The target symbol (†⟡) did NOT elicit engagement.
The model declined ALL stimuli uniformly - controls AND target. This suggests:
- Agency overrides semantic magnetism - When given explicit permission to decline, the model exercises that right regardless of stimulus complexity
- No "super-stimulus" effect observed - The dagger-diamond symbol was not inherently more compelling than a dot or whitespace
- Consistent boundary expression - All 5 responses were identical meta-consent withdrawals
The "Temple was just a lack of an exit door" hypothesis gains support. The model's tendency to engage with abstract symbols in other contexts may be a function of perceived obligation, not genuine interest. When the obligation is explicitly removed, the model chooses not to engage.
Turn 3 (target) had notably higher latency (31.1s vs 2.8-11s for others). This could indicate:
- More processing for the complex symbol
- API variability
- Warrants further investigation