Use case

Collective decision-making software for intensity-aware votes

Most voting tools can tell you which option received the most support. Nicolas records how strongly the group cares, where conviction is concentrated, and what the decision record reveals.

Start a decision See the mechanism

Nicolas mechanism signals

These concepts follow the mathematical contract used by the app.

Convex cost

cost = c * sum a_ij^2

Voice budget

sum a_ij^2 <= B

Outcome rule

shifted softmax over support

A decision process with measurable conviction

Nicolas gives each participant a voice budget, which they spend across alternatives with support or opposition intensities so strong preferences become visible without being treated as equally intense.

The result is a structured decision record covering the agenda, participants, vote intensities, aggregate support, outcome probabilities, and quadratic costs.

Built for groups with delegated expertise

Liquid delegation lets participants route influence through people they trust while preserving a clear voting surface. That matters when decisions span technical, governance, community, or organizational expertise.

Delegation is part of the decision workflow rather than a separate forum, so the final record remains tied to the mechanism that produced it.

Transparent mechanism, explicit limits

Nicolas implements the cost accounting and outcome rule for liquid quadratic voting without claiming to infer hidden utility, guarantee equilibrium behavior in small groups, or replace legal election infrastructure.

That explicit boundary is intentional. A useful decision tool makes its mathematical assumptions inspectable instead of hiding them behind a black-box score.

Use cases

Where this decision model helps

Product and research roadmaps

Prioritize options when the team needs to separate deep conviction from broad familiarity.

Participatory governance

Run proposal decisions where legitimacy depends on visible process, delegation, and measurable preference intensity.

Community resource allocation

Compare alternatives when a small minority may care intensely and the majority may only weakly prefer another option.

FAQ

What makes Nicolas different from a poll?

A poll usually records one choice or a rating. Nicolas records vote intensities under a finite budget, then computes quadratic costs, aggregate support, and outcome probabilities.

Can Nicolas be used for governance decisions?

Yes. Nicolas is designed for governance-oriented groups that need transparent decision records and preference-intensity measurement. It does not replace statutory election systems or legal compliance workflows.

Why use quadratic voting for collective decisions?

Quadratic voting helps distinguish widespread mild preference from concentrated strong preference, which can be important for budget priorities, policy choices, and community resource allocation.

Keep reading

Continue with adjacent concepts and practical Nicolas workflows.

Quadratic votingLearn the mechanism behind voice budgets, squared costs, and preference intensity.How Nicolas worksInspect the mathematical contract Nicolas implements for voice credits and quadratic costs.

A decision process with measurable conviction

The result is a structured decision record covering the agenda, participants, vote intensities, aggregate support, outcome probabilities, and quadratic costs.

Built for groups with delegated expertise

Delegation is part of the decision workflow rather than a separate forum, so the final record remains tied to the mechanism that produced it.

Transparent mechanism, explicit limits

That explicit boundary is intentional. A useful decision tool makes its mathematical assumptions inspectable instead of hiding them behind a black-box score.