§ I — It is a constraint, not a slogan

The Source Code is not aspirational language. It is the foundational ethical constant that governs every system, decision, license, and governance action stewarded by the Foundation. It is structurally invariant. Every Foundation decision is evaluated against it.

§ II — "People" means human individuals and communities

For the purposes of governance, "people" refers exclusively to humans. Institutions, corporations, governments, and systems are instrumental actors — not moral beneficiaries. No institutional interest may be treated as ethically equivalent to, or superior to, the protection of people. Where institutional objectives conflict with human safety, health, truth, connection, or agency, human interests prevail without exception.

§ III — It supersedes everything downstream of it

The Source Code supersedes commercial objectives, investor preferences, strategic convenience, institutional authority, and technical capability. No decision, system behavior, license, or governance action may override the Source Code on the basis of scale, profitability, efficiency, competitive pressure, or external influence. If an action cannot be reconciled with the Source Code, it is invalid regardless of perceived benefit.

§ IV — It is structural, not symbolic

The Source Code is not a mission statement, policy guideline, or cultural value. It is a structural invariant that must be reflected in governance architecture, licensing constraints, system design choices, enforcement mechanisms, and termination or reversion rights. Ethics are enforced through structure, not intent.

§ V — It is interpreted conservatively

The Source Code shall be interpreted narrowly and conservatively, in favor of human protection over institutional convenience. Silence, ambiguity, or omission shall never be construed as permission to act against the interests of people.

§ VI — Relationship to STAN

The Source Code defines who the system serves. The STAN principles — Stewardship, Truth, Agency, Navigation — define how the Source Code is enforced. STAN may not be interpreted independently of the Source Code, nor used to justify outcomes that contradict it.

§ VII — Temporal integrity

The Source Code is designed to persist beyond founders, board members, executives, partners, and technologies. Its authority is not diminished by time, transition, or success.

§ VIII — Supersession

Upon adoption, this Source Code Declaration supersedes all prior expressions of purpose or intent for governance, licensing, and ethical enforcement. Earlier writings remain contextual only and carry no governing authority.