Analysis Frameworks

The Myceliary project develops systematic frameworks for identifying, evaluating, and building AI applications that serve human needs outside of capitalist structures. Our frameworks help communities and technologists discover opportunities where AI could genuinely serve liberation rather than extraction.

Framework Overview

graph TD
    A[Anti-Capitalist Framework] --> B[Identify Opportunities]
    A --> C[Analyze Power Relations]
    A --> D[Design for Liberation]
    
    E[Capitalist Trap Detector] --> F[Evaluate Solutions]
    E --> G[Identify Hidden Traps]
    E --> H[Strengthen Alternatives]
    
    I[Research Query Framework] --> J[Structured Inquiry]
    I --> K[Ongoing Monitoring]
    I --> L[Crisis Response]
    
    M[Second Order Effects] --> N[Technical Democratization]
    M --> O[Economic Barrier Dissolution]
    M --> P[Strategic Cascade Patterns]

Anti-Capitalist AI Applications Framework

Our primary framework for identifying AI applications that operate outside capitalist incentive structures.

Key Components

Market Failure Spaces

• Public goods and commons management
• Care work and emotional labor
• Community resilience and mutual aid
• Environmental stewardship
• Knowledge preservation and sharing

Counter-Hegemonic Applications

• Alternative economic coordination
• Collective organizing and solidarity networks
• Resource redistribution mechanisms
• Corporate accountability tools

Democratization Vectors

• Decentralized decision-making
• Skill and knowledge commons
• Community self-governance tools
• Direct democracy facilitation

View detailed framework documentation

Application Process

1. Identify the Gap - What human need is currently unmet or poorly served?
2. Analyze the Failure - Why isn’t capitalism addressing this need adequately?
3. Map Power Relations - Who benefits from the current situation and who suffers?
4. Explore AI Potential - How could AI/LLM capabilities address the underlying issue?
5. Design for Anti-Capture - What features would prevent commodification?
6. Test Community Fit - Does this actually serve identified community needs?
7. Plan for Sustainability - How can this exist outside capitalist frameworks?
8. Assess Ecological Impact - What are the environmental considerations?
9. Security Planning - How does this function under crisis conditions?
10. Network Integration - How does this connect with other anti-capitalist tools?

Capitalist Trap Detector Framework

A systematic approach to identifying when AI solutions that appear helpful actually serve capitalist interests.

Trap Categories

The Efficiency Trap

Solutions that promise to make existing exploitative systems more efficient rather than questioning their fundamental structure.

The Individualization Trap

Converts collective problems into individual technical solutions, obscuring systemic causes.

The Platform Dependency Trap

Creates dependence on corporate-controlled infrastructure while appearing to empower users.

The Data Extraction Trap

Provides services in exchange for data that becomes a source of profit or control.

The Innovation Theater Trap

Generates excitement about technological progress while maintaining existing power structures.

The Gatekeeping Trap

Creates new forms of access control while appearing to democratize resources.

Evaluation Tools

Red Flag Checklist

Immediate disqualifiers include:

• Corporate platform dependency for core functionality
• Unnecessary personal or community data collection
• Centralized decision-making power
• Funding from sources with conflicting interests
• Increased surveillance capabilities
• Individualization of collective problems

Green Flag Indicators

Positive anti-capitalist features include:

• Community-controlled governance
• Minimal data collection with strong privacy
• Independence from corporate infrastructure
• Strengthening of collective capacity
• Addressing root causes of problems
• Integration of diverse knowledge systems

View detailed framework documentation

Research Query Framework

A structured approach to conducting research and monitoring for anti-capitalist AI applications.

Research Categories

• Basic Web Search - Simple queries for foundational information
• News Search - Current events and emerging trends
• Light Research Report - Focused synthesis on specific topics
• Standard Research Report - Comparative analysis across perspectives
• Deep Research Report - Comprehensive analysis with multiple sources
• Academic Literature Review - Scholarly sources and theoretical frameworks
• Case Study Analysis - Detailed examination of implementations

Research Areas

• One-Time Foundational Research
• Ongoing Monitoring
• Crisis and Event-Driven Research
• Geographic and Cultural Context
• Sector-Specific Applications

View detailed framework documentation

Second Order Effects Framework

A strategic framework for analyzing how AI’s reduction of technical barriers creates cascading opportunities for community-controlled alternatives that enable anti-capitalist approaches.

Key Components

Technical Democratization

• AI reduces coding, design, and technical implementation barriers
• Small community groups can build applications that previously required venture capital
• Technical knowledge becomes more accessible across diverse communities
• Community members can modify and adapt existing solutions rather than accepting corporate defaults

Economic Barrier Dissolution

• Development costs drop dramatically
• Community organizations can build alternatives to corporate solutions
• Grant funding goes further, enabling more experimental and locally adapted projects
• Communities can afford to build “unscalable” solutions that serve specific local needs

Strategic Cascade Patterns

Alternative Platform Viability

• Community-controlled versions of exploitative platforms become feasible
• Critical mass becomes achievable for community platforms
• Communities control their own economic and social data
• Local platforms can network while maintaining autonomy

Community Infrastructure Development

• Communities can build their own digital infrastructure
• Community-controlled messaging, coordination, and information sharing
• Sophisticated mutual aid, resource sharing, and care coordination systems
• Knowledge commons and community-controlled educational resources

Resistance and Counter-Surveillance

• Secure communication and coordination for community organizing
• Tools for monitoring and exposing corporate malfeasance
• Community-controlled news, research, and information verification
• Digital self-defense tools for protecting communities

Long-Term Strategic Vision

The framework outlines a multi-phase strategy:

1. Individual Application Development (Years 1-3)
2. Ecosystem Federation (Years 3-7)
3. Systemic Alternative Infrastructure (Years 7-15)
4. Post-Capitalist Technological Commons (Years 15+)

View detailed framework documentation

Framework Application

Our frameworks are designed to be used together:

1. Use the Anti-Capitalist Framework to identify potential applications
2. Apply the Capitalist Trap Detector to evaluate and strengthen solutions
3. Use the Research Query Framework to investigate specific opportunities

Example Applications

• Mutual aid coordination systems
• Community resource sharing platforms
• Collective decision-making tools
• Knowledge commons management
• Environmental monitoring systems
• Care work coordination networks

Framework Development

These frameworks are continuously refined through:

• Testing in specific community organizing contexts
• Feedback from technologists working on alternative projects
• Case study analysis of successful and failed attempts
• Integration with broader anti-capitalist theory

Get Involved

Our frameworks are living documents that improve through community use and feedback. If you’re using these frameworks in your work:

• Share your experiences and insights
• Contribute case studies of applications
• Suggest improvements or additions
• Help identify new patterns or traps

Visit our GitHub repository to contribute to framework development.