Two things showed up.
1) he is writing a data-driven meta-model application. The inputs are data defining the data that will be received. So he needs a module that catches model inconsistencies... he calls this an adapter (i don't)
/1
however, we are not done with the discussion, nor do I have a modified, better arch to show him .. :))
2) more significantly...
2/
... understanding the pragmatics doesn't change the pattern,
3/
this topic interests me.
in fact, both do... curious to see alternative implementations on both topics