Problem
Connections between atoms are either (1) automatic (semantic similarity edges) or (2) implicit (shared tags). Both are undirected and untyped. But some editorially meaningful relationships are inherently directional and typed, and users express them in markdown text that Atomic can't act on.
Example use cases
Three directional, typed relationships that show up repeatedly:
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Supersedes / superseded-by : a new atom updates or replaces an old one (e.g., "2025 attribution approach" supersedes "2022 attribution approach"). You want to keep the old for historical context but ensure the new one is what current queries surface.
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Contradicts : two atoms take opposing positions on the same question (e.g., "Meta broad targeting wins" vs "Meta narrow targeting wins"). Surfacing these contradictions explicitly helps the user resolve or contextualize them.
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Derived-from : a synthesis atom is built from multiple source atoms. Today this is markdown prose; it could be structured so canvas shows the synthesis graph.
Proposal
Extend the existing edges concept to support typed, bi-directional relationships in addition to similarity edges. Minimum viable types:
supersedes / superseded_by (directional pair)contradicts (symmetric)derived_from / sources_for (directional pair)
Problem
Connections between atoms are either (1) automatic (semantic similarity edges) or (2) implicit (shared tags). Both are undirected and untyped. But some editorially meaningful relationships are inherently directional and typed, and users express them in markdown text that Atomic can't act on.
Example use cases
Three directional, typed relationships that show up repeatedly:
Supersedes / superseded-by : a new atom updates or replaces an old one (e.g., "2025 attribution approach" supersedes "2022 attribution approach"). You want to keep the old for historical context but ensure the new one is what current queries surface.
Contradicts : two atoms take opposing positions on the same question (e.g., "Meta broad targeting wins" vs "Meta narrow targeting wins"). Surfacing these contradictions explicitly helps the user resolve or contextualize them.
Derived-from : a synthesis atom is built from multiple source atoms. Today this is markdown prose; it could be structured so canvas shows the synthesis graph.
Proposal
Extend the existing edges concept to support typed, bi-directional relationships in addition to similarity edges. Minimum viable types:
supersedes/superseded_by(directional pair)contradicts(symmetric)derived_from/sources_for(directional pair)