Active Darwinism Offsets Mismatch (HBES presentation)

Brody, J Active Darwinism offsets mismatch

Variable genes and niches are often not in synchrony from moment to moment and there will usually be some degree of "mismatch" between these two partners. However, the disparity between human nature and human culture seems particularly great for the past 10K years.

On the other hand, "active genotype-environment correlation" (active Darwinism) states that "individuals seek or create environments correlated with their genetic proclivities." We usually develop tools that are consistent with our evolved natures and diverse cultures reflect genetic as well as environmental diversity. When there are disasters --- as there always have been --- we use our tools differently or find another tool next time around. The Titanic did not stop our making fast ships; we now steer them differently.

Further, complex outcomes like culture result from recursive processes wherein the outcome of each computation becomes input for the next one (e.g., compound interest). Culture at any one moment is an expression of genetic interests applied and reapplied to a chain of systematically modified niches over generations.

Life's diversity varies with the diversity and size of a niche. Technology often multiplies both characteristics and high technological variability should offer the greatest options to serve human differences. Mismatch is not an outcome from technology but arises from (1) inaccessibility to its options, (2) imposition of one individual's (species') choices on another, (3) and failure by humans to balance long and short term consequences of their decisions. Genes, culture, and cognitive executive functions often compensate for these breakdowns.

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