The Law of Adaptation is...

2003-11-20 05:58:00

The Question:
What is the principle behind the Law of Adaptation?

We've had more good answers than I have time to post, but I will give a couple good ones.

Robill:
I think adaptation can be viewed as a process that follows a 'change'. If there is no change then there is no adaptation. If the change is the cause then adaptation would be the effect. If the change is the 'unbalancing process' then the adaptation would be the 'balancing process'. Through these processes

Bryan:
It's much like an "old time/traditional ballroom dance" where individuals, together with their partners are moving individually in unison and in rhythm with the sound/tempo of the music; "in step" with each other and together with all the other couples who all do the same "waltz"--all twirling (rotating) around their own "axes" while the entire group of ballroom dancers also move in a circular fashion. The individuals give up their "individuality" to their partner, and the partners give up their "individuality" to "the group", and they all do this by listening and/or attuning themselves to the rhythm of "the music". we progress.

Robert:
We move in a circle when we get stuck and cannot make any corrections. But when we make small corrections, we tend to move in a spiral as we reach the next level. We may go through a circle again. But if we keep making small corrections, we find it easier to go up. It is like the nail and the screw. It takes much force to hammer a nail a distance into the wood, but only small continuous movements in a smaller distance for a screw. It is also like when we drive our cars. It seems like we are going straight when the wheel is, but actually we are making smaller correction. The smaller corrections are easier because the car or the screw has not stopped. Each movement is built upon the last, which is economical. Why re-build the wheel? Build upon past lessons.

JJ:
Robert here hit upon the core principle of this law and it is the reason behind the difference between the spiral and the circle.

Let us see who can phrase the principle the best. Start out by saying: "The Law of Adaptation is (then add your words)"

In addition, Steve asks a great question. Let us consider this as a seed thought and elaborate.

"Does the Law of Adaptation help increase the speed of evolution? Could it be a force that adds mystery and excitement(for want of a better term) to it too?"

Agent Smith: Why, Mr. Anderson? Why do you do it? Why get up? Why keep fighting? Do you believe you're fighting for something? For more that your survival? Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know? Is it freedom? Or truth? Perhaps peace? Yes? No? Could it be for love? Illusions, Mr. Anderson. Vagaries of perception. The temporary constructs of a feeble human intellect trying desperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose. And all of them as artificial as the Matrix itself, although only a human mind could invent something as insipid as love. You must be able to see it, Mr. Anderson. You must know it by now. You can't win. It's pointless to keep fighting. Why, Mr. Anderson? Why? Why do you persist? Neo: Because I choose to. From Matrx Revolutions