In his mathematical studies of genetic systems, R. A. Fisher derived a law that has often been called Fisher's Fundamental Theorem, a very significant name in view of the importance of Fisher's many other theorems. Fisher's Fundamental Theorem states—in terms appropriate to the present context—that the better adapted a system is to a particular environment, the less adaptable it is to new environments. By stretching our imagination a bit, we can see how this might apply to computer programs as well as to snails, fruit flies, and tortoises.
adaptability and efficiency often direct tradeoffs with one another. genetic algorithms research supports this hypothesis.
