Re: Reinforcing/Balancing in Humans LO676

Bruce Hanna (bhanna@silcom.com)
Tue, 4 Apr 1995 13:15:26 -0700

Replying to LO602 --

>Stuart A. Umpleby referred to Ross Ashby's idea that the most well adapted
>>organisms are the most in danger of extinction when the environment
>>changes.

Evolutionary ecologists differentiate two major strategies of evolution...
opportunistic vs. equilibrium species.

"Opportunistic species" are finely tuned for a specific ecological niche.
The above perspective fits them quite well.

Opportunistic species are characterized by short lifespans, the ability to
reproduce in prodigious numbers quickly, and the ability to survive in a
dormant state close to non-living, in which they consume no resources, are
resistant to environmental stress, and are little more than genetic
potential.

During this dormant state, they are typically scattered widely, which
increases the probability that the "right" conditions will be found again.
Think of the human experience of the opportunistic species of viruses for
example.

"Equilibrium species" are tuned to survive in a more variable environment,
to accommodate change.

Equilibrium species are characterized by long lifespans, slow reproduction
with a small number of progeny, massive genetic variability, complex
adaptable behavior, group/cultural organization, learning,...

The ability of equilibrium species to elicit a great variety of
context-specific adaptive behavior in response to environmental changes is
a key to their survival.

For example, their massive genetic base is capable of producing a vast
array of hormones in milliseconds to respond to a threat or opportunity.
(e.g. adrenalin based fight/flight response elicited by a loud noise,...)

An interesting new thread might be how organizations can function more like
equilibrium species and less like opportunistic species. Some aspects of
interest - mechanisms to store information, how context-specific action is
elicited, how "soft" cultural training is provided,..

One of my favorite characteristics of equilibrium species is the importance
of play as a means to learn approximately functional behavior with little
risk, ...

Bruce Hanna, paradigm innovation associates
Results-oriented innovation...the human element
bhanna@piweb.com Santa Barbara,
CA (805)962-6677

P.S. Hi, Stuart - I remember you from PLATO days at the U. of Illinois.