Recovery Half-Life (T½)

Public Primer • Evergreen • September 27, 2025

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Steward Summary

T½ tells you how fast your field settles after a spike. Short = resilient. Long = overloaded. Use it to decide when to add load (publish, travel, open access).

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The 3-step way (no math)

1. Spot the spike: When the line jumps, note the time.
2. Start a timer at the peak.
3. “Halfway back” eyeball: Stop the timer when the line has dropped about half of the spike height toward your usual level. That duration is T½.

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Traffic light

• GREEN: T½ ≤ 1 hour → windows are clean; medium gates ok if BR is in band.
• AMBER: 1–2 hours → lighter gates only; protect integration.
• RED: > 2 hours or it crashes far below your usual level → no new load; rest, simplify.

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Act on it

• Keep catalysts to 1 per day if you see AMBER/RED.
• Guard 12–36h after big spikes so the gain “sticks.”

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Micro-ritual (15s)

“I welcome the rise and the return.
Calm over spectacle. Integration over speed.”

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What to jot down (1 line)

Date • Node • BR (rough) • Spike cause • T½ • Next action (go/light/wait)

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Analyst Notes (optional)

• Exact midpoint = BR + (SR_peak − BR)/2.
• Thresholds: ≤30–60 min excellent; 60–120 min good; 2–6h caution; >6h red flag.
• Log: SR_max, BR_pre, BR_24h_post, T½.