Independent theorist · George, South Africa
Building formal frameworks, published research, and practical tools for problems that resist conventional solutions — since 2000.
Research
Previous research
MA Thesis · Stellenbosch University · 2012
An evaluation of the Fast & Frugal Heuristics programme against implicature-type disinformation in advertising. Found that F&FH fails because it is intrinsically individualist and empiricist — it cannot account for motive, meaning, belief, or attitude.
Concluded with the founding question of TUG: “Is there a way in which a coherent model for rationality can be developed that reflects both empirical and non-empirical aspects of decision making within a relational framework?” TUG is the answer.
Current programme
Published · 2026
Six axioms. Lagrangian mechanics proof establishing stable emergent propulsion and a quasi-conserved Noether charge on a helical manifold. Three falsifiable predictions. Pure theoretical mechanics.
Next · 60-day target · Physical Review E
Classical empirical anchor. Numerical proof that the TUG connection term produces monotonic angular advance without external torque.
Critical gate · Annals of Physics
Proves TUG admits canonical quantisation. Does not claim to derive ℏ. If this paper fails, the physics branch halts here.
Contingency: failure pivots TUG entirely to classical and complex systems.
Conditional on Paper F · Proceedings of the Royal Society A
Memory as Action Shift (ΔJ). Possibilities via torsion multifurcation. Consolidation via adiabatic squeezing.
Conditional on Paper D · Nature Human Behaviour
Organisational failure predicted by inter-node coupling collapsing below synchronisation threshold J*. Noether charge as real-time leading diagnostic.
Phase 6 · Vault · Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Uses the multi-node matrix to show “dark matter” is the gravitational signature of elevated kinetic metric caused by galactic-scale inter-node tension bands. Derives the MOND acceleration threshold as the ratio of inter-node tension coupling to local grounding strength. Strictly dependent on Papers D and E.
Intellectual lineage — 26 years
Model vir Verhoudingsgerigte Ontwikkeling
First formal articulation of the relational mind. Information, Formation, Enformation triad; three relationship types; symbolic universe as structural frame.
Stellenbosch University research presentation
Push-pull dynamics, weighted relational scoring, and the four-quotient model formally presented as a second-year BA student under Gryphontech.
Weighted decision architecture — Simplexity
Full signed-weight scoring with MAX caps, weakest-link logic, and controllable vs uncontrollable gate. Complicated/complex distinction operationalized as distinct scoring categories years before mainstream frameworks.
Infinite Contexts
Formal method for nested contextual analysis: inner context (reasons, purposes), outer context (origin, destination). Precursor to TUG’s contextualisation chain.
MA MPhil — Decisionsmdash; Decisions and Disinformation
Formal proof of the gap in existing decision frameworks. The question that became TUG.
See research section ↑That Explains a Lot (published)
Four foundational relational models made public. Quora Top Writer 2018. 6.2 million views.
Available on Amazon →TUG Paper A — Zenodo
The thesis question answered in formal mathematics. Lagrangian mechanics proof. DOI minted. ORCID connected.
DOI 10.5281/zenodo.19476715 →Work
Compliance platform · Active
Centralised compliance platform for POPIA, GDPR, ISO standards, and REIPPPP renewable energy bid management. Built solo 2018–2024. Acquired by DataGr8. In active use by financial services, mines, and regulated entities.
datagr8.complyrespond.com →Spreadsheet GRC · Sold 2021 · Defunct
SaaS platform performing 33 integrity tests on spreadsheets: complexity, best practice, fraud detection, and error analysis. Workbook certification, formula and VBA removal, clickable in-document error reports. Built solo. Sold, but post-sale arrangement ended due to COVID.
Relational systems
Deterministic framework for detecting early relational drift in customer interactions. Identifies structural failure before it becomes a service or compliance problem. On-premise appliance architecture.
relationalmanager.com →About
Gericke Potgieter is an independent theorist and entrepreneur based in George, South Africa. He operates through Artifex Knowledge Engineering, building formal frameworks, research, and tools for problems that resist conventional solutions.
His background spans hardware development at ESKOM at age 17, a first company at 20, 26 years of relational theory, three commercial software exits, and a published Lagrangian mechanics paper. The common thread is not the domain but the question: what is the structural reason this system is failing?
He holds an MA in Socioinformatics from Stellenbosch University, is a qualified ISO 27001 Lead Implementer, and has been writing publicly on judgment, decision making, and relational systems since 2014 — 6.2 million views on Quora, Quora Top Writer 2018, published in Inc.com.
Qualification
MA Socioinformatics, Stellenbosch University
Certification
ISO 27001 Lead Implementer
Published
ORCID