The stepped leader searches by branching into multiple paths. Only the branch that finds the lowest-resistance channel to ground gets reinforced. The others starve — their charge diverts to the winning path. This is competitive allocation in real time.

Trees, river deltas, blood vessels, neural wiring, microtubule exploration — all use the same algorithm. Extend multiple probes, reinforce the best path, let the rest wither. The flow itself is the decision-maker.

Ground streamers reach up toward the leader. Connection happens where fields mutually intensify — the receiver isn't passive, it's an attractor. Resonance, not just proximity, determines where the circuit completes.