Theory 40/Plasticity vs Canalisation/Cultural evolution
Adaptive Cultures Lose Tradition
The claim
Cultural plasticity trades against the preservation of accumulated knowledge, because practices that adapt quickly to current conditions do not persist long enough to accumulate refinement.
01Mechanism
Cumulative culture requires fidelity; plasticity requires revision. The balance determines how much ratchets up versus adjusts.
02Prediction
Knowledge depth should fall as adaptability rises.
03Refutation
Both rising together would remove the trade-off.