The 6 Axes of the Science Spectrum

A comprehensive model adding two further dimensions for deeper analysis. Axis 1: Pure-Applied (understanding vs. use). Axis 2: Hard-Soft (precision vs. interpretation). Axis 3: Consensus-Stable vs. Emerging (paradigm solidity). Axis 4: Value-Laden vs. Neutral (explicit value engagement). Axis 5: Reductionist-Holistic (explaining by parts vs. understanding wholes). Axis 6: Quantitative-Qualitative (number-based vs. meaning-based methods). These six axes generate sixty-four possible science-types, capturing the full complexity of scientific practice. Particle physics is reductionist, quantitative, hard, pure, stable, relatively neutral. Ecology is more holistic, mixed methods, softer, applied, emerging, value-laden. Neuroscience spans multiple positions depending on subfield. The 6 Axes reveal that "science" is a family resemblance concept, not a single method.

The 6 Axes of the Science Spectrum "You keep saying real science must be quantitative and reductionist. The 6 Axes show that's just one corner of science-space. Ecology is holistic and mixed-methods and still science. Anthropology is qualitative and interpretive and still science. Your narrow definition doesn't describe science—it describes your preference within it."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 8 Axes of the Science Spectrum

The most detailed model yet, adding dimensions of temporality and scope. Axis 1: Pure-Applied. Axis 2: Hard-Soft. Axis 3: Consensus-Stable vs. Emerging. Axis 4: Value-Laden vs. Neutral. Axis 5: Reductionist-Holistic. Axis 6: Quantitative-Qualitative. Axis 7: Experimental-Observational (manipulating variables vs. studying natural variation). Axis 8: Universal-Contextual (laws that apply everywhere vs. knowledge tied to specific contexts). These eight axes create 256 potential science-types, mapping the full diversity of scientific practice. Astronomy is observational, universal, hard, pure. Ethnography is observational, contextual, soft, qualitative. Climate science is mixed on nearly every axis. The 8 Axes demonstrate that methodological wars often stem from unrecognized differences in axis positions.

The 8 Axes of the Science Spectrum "Physics envy is when softer sciences wish they were harder. The 8 Axes show why that's misplaced: you're on different coordinates entirely. Ethnography can't be experimental because its phenomena don't survive lab conditions. Climate science can't be purely observational because the future isn't here yet. Different axes, different methods, different sciences."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 12 Axes of the Science Spectrum

An ultra-fine-grained model adding dimensions of scale and temporality. Building on the 8 Axes, we add: Axis 9: Micro-Macro (studying smallest units vs. largest systems). Axis 10: Synchronic-Diachronic (snapshot in time vs. change over time). Axis 11: Deterministic-Probabilistic (exact prediction vs. statistical patterns). Axis 12: Mechanistic-Phenomenological (how it works vs. what it's like). These twelve axes generate 4096 potential science-types, approaching the actual complexity of scientific practice. Quantum mechanics is micro, deterministic in form (if not interpretation), mechanistic. Evolutionary biology is macro, diachronic, probabilistic, phenomenological in part. Consciousness studies spans nearly every axis simultaneously. The 12 Axes reveal that scientific pluralism isn't optional—it's necessitated by the multidimensionality of reality itself.

The 12 Axes of the Science Spectrum "Your theory of everything fails because it only occupies one point in 12-axis space. The 12 Axes show that reality requires different methods at different scales, different times, different levels. One science to rule them all is a fantasy. The universe is 12-dimensional; your methods need to be too."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 16 Axes of the Science Spectrum

The ultimate model, adding the final dimensions of social embeddedness and metaphysical commitment. Building on the 12 Axes, we add: Axis 13: Independent-Embedded (science as separate from society vs. deeply enmeshed). Axis 14: Objective-Reflexive (observer separate vs. observer part of system). Axis 15: Realist-Instrumentalist (models describe reality vs. models are useful tools). Axis 16: Materialist-Pluralist (matter fundamental vs. multiple fundamentals). These sixteen axes generate 65,536 potential positions—enough to capture every scientific approach, every methodological debate, every philosophical commitment. The 16 Axes reveal that science isn't a single thing but a multidimensional space of possibilities, and that progress isn about finding the one true position but about navigating the space with wisdom.

The 16 Axes of the Science Spectrum "You want science to be one thing, one method, one philosophy. The 16 Axes show that's impossible—there are 65,536 ways to do science, each appropriate for different phenomena, different questions, different contexts. The unity of science isn't in its method—it's in its commitment to understanding, whatever that requires. Sixteen axes, infinite approaches, one goal."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 2 Axes of the Technology Spectrum

A foundational model for understanding technology along two fundamental dimensions. The first axis runs from Hard Technology (physical tools, machines, infrastructure—things you can touch) to Soft Technology (processes, algorithms, software, social techniques—things you can't touch but shape behavior). The second axis runs from Consumer Technology (designed for individual use, entertainment, convenience) to Industrial Technology (designed for production, infrastructure, large-scale systems). These two axes create four quadrants: hard-consumer (smartphones), hard-industrial (factory robots), soft-consumer (social media apps), soft-industrial (supply chain algorithms). The model reveals that "technology" isn't one thing—it's a spectrum of tools with different forms, functions, and relationships to human life.

The 2 Axes of the Technology Spectrum "You keep treating TikTok like it's just a tool, like a hammer. The 2 Axes of the Technology Spectrum show why that fails: TikTok is soft-consumer technology—it shapes behavior, doesn't build things, works on minds not matter. Hammers are hard-consumer. Different axes, different effects. Stop treating software like hardware."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 4 Axes of the Technology Spectrum

An expanded model adding two crucial dimensions to the basic framework. Axis 1: Hard-Soft (physical vs. informational). Axis 2: Consumer-Industrial (individual vs. systemic use). Axis 3: Enabling-Replacing (augments human capacity vs. replaces human function). Axis 4: Transparent-Opaque (understandable operation vs. black-box complexity). These four axes create sixteen technology-types. A hand tool is hard, consumer, enabling, transparent. AI is soft, industrial (mostly), replacing, opaque. Social media is soft, consumer, replacing (of attention), opaque. Medical devices vary across all axes. The 4 Axes reveal that debates about technology—is it good? is it safe? is it controllable?—depend heavily on where a technology sits on these spectra.

The 4 Axes of the Technology Spectrum "You're worried about AI replacing jobs, but you're fine with calculators. The 4 Axes show why: calculators are enabling (they help you calculate), transparent (you understand how they work). AI is replacing (it does the thinking) and opaque (you don't know why it decides). Same axis, different positions—huge difference in effect."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 6 Axes of the Technology Spectrum

A comprehensive model adding two further dimensions for deeper analysis. Axis 1: Hard-Soft (physical vs. informational). Axis 2: Consumer-Industrial (individual vs. systemic). Axis 3: Enabling-Replacing (augment vs. substitute). Axis 4: Transparent-Opaque (understandable vs. black box). Axis 5: Centralized-Distributed (controlled by few vs. accessible to many). Axis 6: Sustainable-Exploitative (regenerative vs. extractive). These six axes generate sixty-four technology-types. Blockchain is soft, consumer-industrial hybrid, enabling (in theory), opaque, distributed, exploitative (energy). Solar panels are hard, consumer-industrial, enabling, transparent, distributed, sustainable. Smartphones span nearly every axis depending on use. The 6 Axes reveal that technological impact isn't intrinsic—it's a function of position across multiple dimensions.

The 6 Axes of the Technology Spectrum "You think technology is neutral? The 6 Axes show otherwise: a technology's position on centralized-distributed and sustainable-exploitative axes determines its politics. Coal is hard, industrial, replacing, opaque, centralized, exploitative. That's not neutral—that's a political position built into the technology itself."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026