# Spectral Brand Theory (SBT)

> A computational framework for multi-dimensional brand perception modeling.
> Models brands as stellar objects emitting signals across 8 dimensions
> (semiotic, narrative, temporal, ideological, economic, experiential, cultural,
> social), perceived differently by observer cohorts with different spectral
> profiles. Version 2.1 includes non-ergodic perception dynamics.

SBT provides a complete pipeline: signal decomposition, observer profiling,
perception cloud prediction, coherence auditing, emission strategy design,
and re-collapse simulation.

Website: https://spectralbranding.com
Author: Dmitry Zharnikov (https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6893-9231)

## Core Framework (GitHub — canonical source of truth)

- [Framework Specification](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/docs/FRAMEWORK.md): Complete SBT v2.1 spec — 8 dimensions, observer model, cloud formation, collapse mechanics, 11 novel discoveries
- [Glossary](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/docs/GLOSSARY.md): All SBT terms with definitions, cross-references, and traditional-concept mappings
- [Atom Taxonomy](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/data/ATOM_TAXONOMY.yaml): Machine-readable 8-dimension taxonomy with sub-types, observer template, encounter bundle types

## Analysis Prompts (6 modules)

- [Module 1: Brand Decomposition](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/prompts/01_BRAND_DECOMPOSITION.md): Signal inventory across 8 dimensions
- [Module 2: Observer Mapping](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/prompts/02_OBSERVER_MAPPING.md): Cohort profiles with spectrum, weights, tolerances
- [Module 3: Cloud Prediction](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/prompts/03_CLOUD_PREDICTION.md): Per-cohort perception cloud formation
- [Module 4: Coherence Audit](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/prompts/04_COHERENCE_AUDIT.md): 7-metric health scorecard with coherence type
- [Module 5: Emission Strategy](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/prompts/05_EMISSION_STRATEGY.md): Dimensional strategy and action plan
- [Module 6: Re-collapse Simulation](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/prompts/06_RECOLLAPSE_SIMULATION.md): Disruption modeling and defensive strategy

## YAML Output Templates

- [Template 1: Brand Decomposition](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/templates/01_brand_decomposition.yaml)
- [Template 2: Observer Mapping](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/templates/02_observer_mapping.yaml)
- [Template 3: Cloud Prediction](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/templates/03_cloud_prediction.yaml)
- [Template 4: Coherence Audit](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/templates/04_coherence_audit.yaml)
- [Template 5: Emission Strategy](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/templates/05_emission_strategy.yaml)
- [Template 6: Re-collapse Simulation](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework/main/templates/06_recollapse_simulation.yaml)

## Academic Papers

- [SBT Preprint — Zharnikov 2026a](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-papers/main/spectral-brand-theory/paper.md): Full paper, 29 references. Also on [SSRN](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6318718)
- [Alibi Epistemology — Zharnikov 2026b](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spectralbranding/sbt-papers/main/alibi-epistemology/paper.md): Companion paper on the epistemic pipeline, 19 references

## Validated Case Studies (5 brands, cross-model replicated)

| Brand | Coherence Type | Grade | Key Finding |
|-------|---------------|-------|-------------|
| Hermes | Ecosystem | A+ | Structural absence as primary value creation |
| IKEA | Signal | A- | Democratic access, signal dominance |
| Patagonia | Identity | B+ | Productive contradiction, temporal defense |
| Erewhon | Experiential asymmetry | B- | Mediated cloud formation via TikTok |
| Tesla | Incoherent | C- | Brand health vs power independence |

All 5 brands produced identical coherence type + grade across Claude Opus 4.6 and Gemini 3.1 Pro.

## Structured Data Endpoints (JSON)

For machine consumption — all endpoints return JSON with CORS enabled:

- Glossary: https://spectralbranding.com/glossary.json (44 terms, 7 layers)
- Taxonomy: https://spectralbranding.com/taxonomy.json (8 dimensions, sub-types, observer template)
- Case Studies: https://spectralbranding.com/case-studies.json (5 brands, coherence types, grades)
- Prompts: https://spectralbranding.com/prompts.json (6-module toolkit index with GitHub URLs)
- MCP Discovery: https://spectralbranding.com/.well-known/mcp.json

## Repositories

- [sbt-framework](https://github.com/spectralbranding/sbt-framework): Framework, prompts, templates, taxonomy, glossary
- [sbt-papers](https://github.com/spectralbranding/sbt-papers): Academic papers and case studies