4. Percussive Persuasion During Protocol Development

During protocol development, random greybeards might perform actions resembling the punishments in Section 3 while trying to steer young protocol work toward the Path of Wisdom. More commonly, the guidance appears as verbal utterances.

Newcomers should pay careful attention when these utterances occur, but the utterances are not punishments by themselves. Despite rumors, applying a wet noodle has never been an appropriate persuasive measure.

4.1. "This part needs elaboration."

This guidance needs no elaboration.

4.2. "You may have failed to consider ..."

This usually means that an attack path is visible and the protocol has no defense against it.

4.3. "The threat model seems underdeveloped."

This suggests that explaining the design again may reveal why it cannot work as currently described.

4.4. "This may work in the lab, but ..."

This signals that operational considerations are missing or overly optimistic.

4.5. "You have not thought this through."

This is a strong suggestion to go home and start over.