There are several problems with the rules on instruments and power.
Here's a proto for a proposal to (I think) fix it all:
{{{
Amend rule 1688 to read:
The power of an entity is a non-negative real number. An instrument
is an entity with positive power.
The power of an entity cannot be set or modified except as
stipulated by the rules. All entities have power zero except
where specifically allowed by the rules.
[The former restriction of power to natural numbers is ineffective,
and we have often found some use for non-integer powers.]
Enact a rule with title "Power Controls Mutability", Power=3, and text:
No entity with power below the power of this rule can
(a) cause an entity to have power greater than its own.
(b) adjust the power of an instrument with power greater than
its own.
(c) modify any other aspect of an instrument with power greater
than its own that would affect that instrument's operation.
[This is the full generalisation of the power restrictions on rule
changes. Expressing it all in fully general form avoids prior scams
concerned with instruments other than rules and proposals. The exception
for entities with power greater than or equal to this rule is simply
admitting what is effectively the case anyway.]
Enact a rule with title "Role of Rules", Power=3, and text:
A rule is a type of instrument with the capacity to govern the
game generally. A rule has power between one and four inclusive.
The content of a rule is unlimited in scope. In particular, a
rule may define in-game entities and regulate their behaviour,
make instantaneous changes to the state of in-game entities,
prescribe or proscribe certain player behaviour, modify the
rules or the application thereof, or do any of these things in a
conditional manner.
[Defines the role of rules in the game. Incorporates the restriction on
the power of rules. Formalising this rule further might be an interesting
future direction.]
Amend the rule titled "Rule Changes" to read:
Where permitted by other rules, an instrument generally can,
as part of its effect,
(a) enact a rule. When a rule is enacted, the Rulekeepor shall
assign it a number for identification, which must be a natural
number greater than any number previously assigned to a rule.
The new rule has power equal to the minimum of the power
specified by the enacting instrument, defaulting to one if
the enacting instrument does not specify, and the maximum
power permitted by other rules. If the new rule's title is
not specified, the Rulekeepor shall select a title at eir
discretion.
(b) repeal a rule. When a rule is repealed, it ceases to be a rule,
and the Rulekeepor need no longer maintain a record of it.
(c) amend the text of a rule.
(d) retitle of a rule. This is permitted only if the instrument
would also be permitted to amend the text of the rule.
(e) change the power of a rule.
A rule change is any effect that falls into the above classes.
Rule changes always occur sequentially, never simultaneously.
Rules cannot be enacted, repealed, or modified except by the
mechanism provided by this rule.
Any ambiguity in the specification of a rule change causes that
change to be void and without effect. A variation in whitespace
or capitalization in the quotation of an existing rule does not
constitute ambiguity for the purposes of this rule, but any other
variation does.
[All generalised. Any instrument can effect a rule change, and the
ambiguity clause applies to all forms of rule change rather than just
amendments. Power-based restrictions are no longer in this rule; they
are handled by the rule created above. Now makes explicit the prior
interpretation and game custom that rule changes happen one at a time.]
}}}
-zefram
