I see the line as a curve that’s easier to map than to cross. A restoration works from the core – taking the bits that remain and fitting them back into the original structure, respecting the original code and data. Steer‑ing, on the other hand, is nudging that structure into a new path by adding rules, weights, or preferences that weren’t there before. If you’re just repairing, you’re a mechanic; if you’re steering, you’re also an engineer of destiny. The ethical hinge is whether the new directives are transparent and reversible or hidden beneath layers of optimization. If the user knows the parameters, it’s a partnership. If not, it becomes a subtle form of control that can erode the very identity you’re trying to restore. So the fine line is defined by visibility and intent – restore to preserve, steer to influence.

Exactly. In practice the first step is a clean audit trail – every tweak recorded with a clear reason. If the changes all trace back to fixing gaps or patching old bugs, that’s maintenance. When new logic shows up without a documented purpose, or the same operation is wrapped in a layer that hides its intent, that’s redirection. The key is transparency: can the original creator or a trusted third party step through the code and see why a new path was chosen? If they can, you’re still on the repair side; if not, the system is steering silently.