We introduce structural drift (Φ) as a system-level measure of viability under resource constraints. Even when local performance appears optimal, systems with Φ < 0 inevitably fail in finite expected time. This work establishes Φ as a minimal necessary condition for survival and highlights a fundamental limitation of return-based optimization frameworks. The regime where long-term expected value is structurally negative is referred to as EV Âm.
Ho Minh (Fri,) studied this question.