Physics · Dynamics
NicheHedgeCrossing#65e3
Cross a fitness valley by paying each step in a simpler niche where the broken intermediate helps
Mechanism
A function that is valid in a complex niche is extended and becomes invalid there. Each intermediate is advantageous in a simpler niche, for example as a disabled pathway that sheds metabolic load. A further extension restores validity in the complex niche with a more complex function. Every step pays in whichever niche the population occupies at the time, because the two niches' fitness landscapes are inversely correlated. This is how the pressure of a RedQueenRace can be escaped without neutral drift.
Invariants
- Each intermediate step is beneficial in at least one niche the population can occupy
- The two niches are related as a hedge: what breaks one benefits the other
- A population distributing across niches each generation is sufficient agency
Failure modes
- The simpler niche disappears before validity is restored in the complex one
- The niches' fitness landscapes are independent rather than inversely correlated, so no hedge exists
Where this came from
- Research On the Origin of Risk
People: Arne Steemers, Adam Timlett
Builds on
Used by
Identity
The name is the hash of the definition. Change a word and it becomes a different pattern.
- Sema ID
sema:NicheHedgeCrossing#mh:SHA-256:65e3edbd1a8eb73c71cb3871c0cd8c01a2b9e6ce1aa6a9d5c9a9e78a16878966- Reference
NicheHedgeCrossing#65e3- Ring
- 2
- Tier
- 3