# depth (level)

how many parameters must have their windows open at the same time for this one to be open

- Computed level: L18 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: window  ·  Arena: emergent

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [parameter](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-parameter.condition), [window](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-window.range), [range](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-range.spatial), [open](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-open.spatial), [time](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-time.dimension)

**Through:** The components collectively determine how many parameter ranges must be simultaneously open in time for a given state to persist.

**Novel properties:**
- simultaneity requirement
- hierarchical dependency
- temporal coincidence threshold

## Examples
- The International Space Station maintains orbit at 400 km altitude, requiring monthly reboosts to counter atmospheric drag. *(engineering)*
- Neural firing in the prefrontal cortex sustains working memory for up to 30 seconds, holding 7±2 items online. *(biology)*
- Bitcoin's blockchain depth requires six confirmations, taking about one hour, to secure a transaction against reversal. *(computing)*

## Used by
- [insight](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-insight.cognitive) (L19)

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-depth.level*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-depth.level.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*