Revealed Preference
Inferring the operator's preferences by watching what they actually do - not what they say they want. Based on revealed preference theory (Afriat's theorem, GARP). Cheapest evidence channel because the operator is doing what they would do anyway.
Why It Exists
People are unreliable narrators of their own preferences. What they choose when real stakes are on the line reveals what they actually value. Behavioral observation captures this without interrupting the operator.
Rosetta Stone
Four circles, four readings of the same object. Each role reads the artifact through its own lens.
The cheapest evidence channel, because the operator is doing what they'd do anyway. Zero interruption cost, continuous sampling.
The agent watches what you actually do and updates. You do not have to articulate your taste; you just have to exercise it.
Event-stream instrumentation plus a preference model that updates from behavior. Infra-level, unobtrusive, runs forever.
Preference elicitation from choice data under the Generalized Axiom of Revealed Preference (Afriat). Consistent choices across contexts imply a utility function; inconsistent choices bound it.
Related Terms
Structured Elicitation - A controlled experiment designed to learn the operator's preferences.
Direct Query - A question posed to the operator, used only when the expected value of the answer exceeds the cost of the operator's attention.