Adaptability theory as a guide for interfacing‐computers and human society

Hierarchical adaptability theory provides a tool for analyzing the mechanisms and processes that living systems use to survive in uncertain or unknown environments. Adaptability is based on the use of information about the environment to select from a repertoire of possible behaviors. The principle of biological compensation states that restrictions on one part of this repertoire (e.g. on genetic plasticity) must be compensated by expansions of other parts (e.g. neurobehavioral plasticity), by an increase in computing power, or by a decrease in niche space. The tradeoflprinciple asserts that programmability is incompatible with high evolutionary plasticity and efficient use of computational resources. Together these two principles imply that the increasing use of programmable computing power in modern societies can have an adaptability decreasing effect that would put humans in the position of disturbance‐absorbing homeostats for computers. Computers can benefit society, but whether they do so in any particular case depends on a sensitive respect for the tradeoffs elucidated by adaptability theory.