ADR-0004: Memory is reached only by physically handling the device

Status: accepted (Rafa, 2026-10-12); for v01 the read path is ADR-0007 — hold the read button and touch a phone to the tail
Date: 2026-10-12
Requirements touched: P-12, S-08

Context

Rafa: "Recordings can only be reached by physically handling the device." And the memo, belief 4: "We don't have control over the propagation of our words once recorded."

Decision

No remote access of any kind (follows from ADR-0001).
To read: connect USB-C to a computer and hold the read button on the device. The device appears as a read-only local web view served over USB. Releasing the button ends the view.
What you can read is whatever the forgetting curve has left today. There is no "read the original" mode.
Everything model-written is labelled machine-generated in the view.

Still open

Can anything be copied off? If yes, copies escape the forgetting curve. Options: (a) no copy at all, view only; (b) copy outcomes (R1) only, since they're meant to be durable; (c) copy at the current rung, with the expiry date stamped on it and nothing to enforce it.
Does the read button need a PIN, a fingerprint, or is possession enough?

# ADR-0004: Memory is reached only by physically handling the device - **Status:** accepted (Rafa, 2026-10-12); for v01 the read path is ADR-0007 — hold the read button and touch a phone to the tail - **Date:** 2026-10-12 - **Requirements touched:** P-12, S-08 ## Context Rafa: "Recordings can only be reached by physically handling the device." And the memo, belief 4: "We don't have control over the propagation of our words once recorded." ## Decision - No remote access of any kind (follows from ADR-0001). - To read: connect USB-C to a computer **and** hold the read button on the device. The device appears as a read-only local web view served over USB. Releasing the button ends the view. - What you can read is whatever the forgetting curve has left today. There is no "read the original" mode. - Everything model-written is labelled machine-generated in the view. ## Still open - **Can anything be copied off?** If yes, copies escape the forgetting curve. Options: (a) no copy at all, view only; (b) copy outcomes (R1) only, since they're meant to be durable; (c) copy at the current rung, with the expiry date stamped on it and nothing to enforce it. - Does the read button need a PIN, a fingerprint, or is possession enough?