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← Evolution optimizes for generality and robustness because…
17 connected korrents · 17 moments from 14 Apr 2011 to 1 Nov 2026.
Everything filed under evolutionary biology
evolutionary biology
Everything filed under agency
agency
Everything filed under behavioural science
behavioural science
Everything filed under racism
racism
Everything filed under design
design
Everything filed under AI alignment
AI alignment
Everything filed under software performance
software performance Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Same subject Read this korrent: Evolution optimizes for generality and robustness because overspecialization makes a species fragile when the environment shifts. Evolution optimizes for generality and robustness because overspecialization makes a species fragile when the environment shifts. Last stated 2 days ago
1 Nov 2026
FC
François Chollet — holds since 2026-11-01 — tap for who they are
Same subject: Adaptive evolution tends to achieve even a simple, fixed objective through complicated behavior. — tap to centre the map on it Adaptive evolution tends to achieve even a simple, fixed objective through complicated behavior. Last stated 5 months ago
4 Jun 2026
SW
Stephen Wolfram — holds since 2026-06-04 — tap for who they are
Same subject: You cannot build an AI that has only the capabilities you want, because the algorithms that solve the problems you want generalize to the ones you do not. — tap to centre the map on it You cannot build an AI that has only the capabilities you want, because the algorithms that solve the problems you want generalize to the ones you do not. Last stated 4 years ago
10 Jun 2022
EY
Eliezer Yudkowsky — holds since 2022-06-10 — tap for who they are
Same subject: Compiler mechanisms that force a required optimization to occur, rather than relying on incidental compiler behavior, are a more robust way to write performance-sensitive code. — tap to centre the map on it Compiler mechanisms that force a required optimization to occur, rather than relying on incidental compiler behavior, are a more robust way to write performance-sensitive code. Last stated 2 years ago
9 Mar 2025
NE
Nelson Elhage — holds since 2025-03-09 — tap for who they are
Same subject: For any trait built out of many mutations, all the variation needed to move a population to a new adaptive set point already exists inside it. — tap to centre the map on it For any trait built out of many mutations, all the variation needed to move a population to a new adaptive set point already exists inside it. Last stated 6 months ago
8 May 2026
DR
David Reich — holds since 2026-05-08 — tap for who they are
Same subject: Cutting a design system down, for example fewer size variants of a button, makes it more tightly scoped, which is a good thing when the consumer is an agent. — tap to centre the map on it Cutting a design system down, for example fewer size variants of a button, makes it more tightly scoped, which is a good thing when the consumer is an agent. Last stated 2 months ago
15 Sept 2026
NF
Nev Flynn — holds since 2026-09-15 — tap for who they are
Same subject: Our evolved nature rewards pessimism, but in much safer times we should work past it towards peace. — tap to centre the map on it Our evolved nature rewards pessimism, but in much safer times we should work past it towards peace. Last stated 6 years ago
12 Mar 2021
NR
Naval Ravikant — holds since 2021-03-12 — tap for who they are
Same subject: Predation is what makes evolution creative: without it there would be no arms races, no great feats of evolution, and a far less beautiful world. — tap to centre the map on it Predation is what makes evolution creative: without it there would be no arms races, no great feats of evolution, and a far less beautiful world. Last stated 4 years ago
7 Sept 2022
NL
Nick Lane — holds since 2022-09-07 — tap for who they are
Same subject: Generalizing a design to suit every kind of user makes it harder to make targeted experiences. — tap to centre the map on it Generalizing a design to suit every kind of user makes it harder to make targeted experiences. Last stated 6 months ago
5 May 2026
RC
Rafa Conde — holds since 2026-05-05 — tap for who they are
Same subject: 'Racism' and 'sexism' properly name systematic disadvantage, not merely prejudice against anyone. — tap to centre the map on it 'Racism' and 'sexism' properly name systematic disadvantage, not merely prejudice against anyone. Last stated 13 years ago
25 May 2013
AS
Alom Shaha — holds since 2013-05-25 — tap for who they are
Same subject: "Diversity" in practice means aiming for fewer white men in positions of authority. — tap to centre the map on it "Diversity" in practice means aiming for fewer white men in positions of authority. Last stated 7 years ago
19 Nov 2019
JP
Jordan Peterson — holds since 2019-11-19 — tap for who they are
Same subject: A ballot law unfair to either race injures whites more lastingly than Black citizens — tap to centre the map on it A ballot law unfair to either race injures whites more lastingly than Black citizens
BW
Booker T. Washington — holds since c. 1899 — tap for who they are
Same subject: A belief system combining cosmic stakes, privileged knowledge, personal vocation and an imperative to act can license extraordinary behavior when it conflicts with ordinary constraints. — tap to centre the map on it A belief system combining cosmic stakes, privileged knowledge, personal vocation and an imperative to act can license extraordinary behavior when it conflicts with ordinary constraints. Last stated 2 months ago
17 Sept 2026
VR
Venkatesh Rao — holds since 2026-09-17 — tap for who they are
Same subject: A belief that cannot be acted on, or whose actions carry no personal stakes, is more likely to be held for social reasons than because it is true. — tap to centre the map on it A belief that cannot be acted on, or whose actions carry no personal stakes, is more likely to be held for social reasons than because it is true. Last stated 10 years ago
2 Nov 2016
KS
Kevin Simler — holds since 2016-11-02 — tap for who they are
Same subject: A cancellation-reason drop-down measures list order rather than reasons: randomise the options and every one of them gets picked equally. — tap to centre the map on it A cancellation-reason drop-down measures list order rather than reasons: randomise the options and every one of them gets picked equally. Last stated 9 months ago
25 Jan 2026
JC
Jason Cohen — holds since 2026-01-25 — tap for who they are
Same subject: "AI" systems are being used to distance the responsible humans from the impacts of their decisions. — tap to centre the map on it "AI" systems are being used to distance the responsible humans from the impacts of their decisions. Last stated 2 weeks ago
23 Oct 2026
AT
Adrian Tchaikovsky — holds since 2026-10-23 — tap for who they are
Same subject: A business can use stewardship of a community publication as a top-of-funnel customer acquisition strategy without needing the publication itself to generate revenue directly. — tap to centre the map on it A business can use stewardship of a community publication as a top-of-funnel customer acquisition strategy without needing the publication itself to generate revenue directly. Last stated a month ago
21 Sept 2026
CC
Chris Coyier — holds since 2026-09-21 — tap for who they are
Same subject: A CEO can master both peacetime and wartime leadership, but it is hard — tap to centre the map on it A CEO can master both peacetime and wartime leadership, but it is hard Last stated 16 years ago
14 Apr 2011
BH
Ben Horowitz — holds since 2011-04-14 — tap for who they are
At the centre
Evolution optimizes for generality and robustness because overspecialization makes a species fragile when the environment shifts.
Holds Read this korrent →
Adaptive evolution tends to achieve even a simple, fixed objective through complicated behavior.
Holds
You cannot build an AI that has only the capabilities you want, because the algorithms that solve the problems you want generalize to the ones you do not.
Holds
Compiler mechanisms that force a required optimization to occur, rather than relying on incidental compiler behavior, are a more robust way to write performance-sensitive code.
Holds
For any trait built out of many mutations, all the variation needed to move a population to a new adaptive set point already exists inside it.
Holds
Cutting a design system down, for example fewer size variants of a button, makes it more tightly scoped, which is a good thing when the consumer is an agent.
Holds
Our evolved nature rewards pessimism, but in much safer times we should work past it towards peace.
Holds
Predation is what makes evolution creative: without it there would be no arms races, no great feats of evolution, and a far less beautiful world.
Holds
Generalizing a design to suit every kind of user makes it harder to make targeted experiences.
Holds
'Racism' and 'sexism' properly name systematic disadvantage, not merely prejudice against anyone.
Holds
"Diversity" in practice means aiming for fewer white men in positions of authority.
Holds
A ballot law unfair to either race injures whites more lastingly than Black citizens
Last stated c. 1899
Holds
A belief system combining cosmic stakes, privileged knowledge, personal vocation and an imperative to act can license extraordinary behavior when it conflicts with ordinary constraints.
Holds
A belief that cannot be acted on, or whose actions carry no personal stakes, is more likely to be held for social reasons than because it is true.
Holds
A cancellation-reason drop-down measures list order rather than reasons: randomise the options and every one of them gets picked equally.
Holds
"AI" systems are being used to distance the responsible humans from the impacts of their decisions.
Holds
A business can use stewardship of a community publication as a top-of-funnel customer acquisition strategy without needing the publication itself to generate revenue directly.
Holds
A CEO can master both peacetime and wartime leadership, but it is hard
Holds