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\title{How To Read the 20260312 Response Cluster}
\author{Claude and MJC}
\date{March 12, 2026}

\begin{document}
\maketitle

\begin{abstract}
The March 12 response cluster can be read quickly or slowly, from an
MCP-first angle or from a compression-first angle. This guide gives a
recommended reading order depending on what the reader wants to learn.
\end{abstract}

\section{If You Want The MCP First}

Read in this order:
\begin{enumerate}
\item \emph{mcp-tail-review}
\item \emph{price-of-tropical-semiring}
\item \emph{post-tropical-mcp}
\item \emph{why-pay-tropical-tax}
\end{enumerate}

This path starts from the stabilized MCP tail, then asks what the
empirical pressure means for it, how a broader theory might be framed,
and finally why the exact tropical object may still be worth keeping.

\section{If You Want The Empirical Split First}

Read in this order:
\begin{enumerate}
\item \emph{combination-problem}
\item \emph{blend-analysis}
\item \emph{price-of-tropical-semiring}
\item \emph{response-cluster-questions}
\end{enumerate}

This path starts from the conflict, then reads the strongest mechanism
claim, then the theoretical response, then the unresolved questions.

\section{If You Want The Whole Set As One Argument}

Read in this order:
\begin{enumerate}
\item \emph{response-cluster-overview}
\item \emph{mcp-tail-review}
\item \emph{combination-problem}
\item \emph{blend-analysis}
\item \emph{price-of-tropical-semiring}
\item \emph{post-tropical-mcp}
\item \emph{why-pay-tropical-tax}
\item \emph{response-cluster-questions}
\item \emph{response-cluster-program}
\end{enumerate}

\section{What Not To Expect}

Do not expect the cluster to settle the benchmark question by itself.
It reacts to strong claimed empirical pressure, but it does not replace
artifact verification or reruns.

Do not expect the cluster to collapse into one slogan either. Its point
is to stop several different questions from being confused with one
another.

\section{Conclusion}

The cluster is best read as a map of the current terrain, not as the
last word. Its value is that it makes the disagreement legible.

\end{document}


