causal

Childhood Is Evolution's Simulated Annealing

For solving high-dimensional problems with many possible solutions, computer science shows the best strategy is to start with a wide, hot, random search and gradually cool into a focused, low-temperature search (simulated annealing); childhood is evolution's way of implementing this, beginning with noisy bouncy exploration before cooling into focused adult exploitation, because the two strategies cannot be done simultaneously and trade off against each other.

causalpending

Speaker

Alison Gopnik

Evidence Quote

what I think is that childhood is essentially evolution's way of doing simulated annealing

Source

308 | Alison Gopnik on Children, AI, and Modes of ThinkingSean Carroll's Mindscape
Created: 6/13/2026, 12:24:35 AM

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