REP Decay Model
Why Decay Exists
Reputation is not static. A contributor who was accurate two years ago and has been silent since holds less credibility than one who is actively contributing accurate signals today.
The decay model ensures that REP_effective reflects current credibility, not historical peak performance. Inactive accounts lose influence weight over time, even if their REP_total does not change.
Formula
REP_effective = REP_total × e^(−0.05 × InactivityMonths)Where:
REP_total= cumulative REP score (does not decrease)InactivityMonths= number of full months since last qualifying protocol interactione= Euler’s number (~2.718)−0.05= decay constant (5% monthly decay rate)
Decay Table
| Inactivity Period | Decay Factor | REP_effective (from REP_total of 500) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 months (active) | 1.000 | 500 |
| 1 month | 0.951 | 476 |
| 3 months | 0.861 | 430 |
| 6 months | 0.741 | 371 |
| 12 months | 0.549 | 275 |
| 18 months | 0.407 | 204 |
| 24 months | 0.301 | 151 |
The decay is exponential — the first months of inactivity have the largest absolute impact.
REP_total never decreases. Decay only affects REP_effective — your current influence weight within the protocol. Returning to active contribution resets the inactivity clock and allows REP_effective to recover toward REP_total.
What Counts as Activity
Qualifying interactions that reset the inactivity clock:
- Submitting a new signal contribution
- Having a prediction validated (positive or negative)
- Onboarding a channel that meets structural thresholds
- Verified participation in a protocol governance signal
- Connecting and refreshing your channel’s REP (for channel owners)
What does not count:
- Logging into the app without taking action
- Reading intelligence reports
- Passive observation of the Mindshare Arena
How to Prevent Decay
Consistent, minimal-effort protocol engagement prevents meaningful decay:
- Contributing one validated signal per month keeps the decay clock reset
- Channel owners who maintain their channel’s structural health (SIS > 50) automatically generate qualifying interactions through channel monitoring events
If REP_effective drops below a tier threshold due to inactivity, tier access is immediately downgraded. You lose access to features associated with your previous tier until REP_effective recovers above the threshold.
For example: A Structural Analyst (REP_effective 350) who goes inactive for 12 months may fall to REP_effective ~192, dropping to Analyst tier. Launchpad reports and AVI alerts would become inaccessible.
Asymmetric Recovery
Recovery from decay is slower than the initial decay for one structural reason: REP_total must be rebuilt through contributions, while REP_effective can only approach REP_total through time + activity.
An account that has decayed from REP_effective 600 to REP_effective 300 needs both:
- Active protocol participation to reset the decay clock
- New contributions to increase REP_total if the goal is to exceed the previous peak
This asymmetry ensures that dormant high-REP accounts cannot instantly reclaim their prior influence weight by simply logging back in.