What is an Adaptation?

Adaptation: Any feature produced via a developmental process (natural selection in evolution) for its current function — or to do its current purpose better. Adaptive processes are the ones we use everyday to keep things functioning in normal ways — improvements towards known and understood goals/purposes.

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Definition of Adaptation

Adaptations form the “outside” and visible form of all things, while exaptations unexpectedly when things are put to new or unintended uses.

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Additional Glossary Terms Related to Adaptation

Aptation, Exaptation, Change in Degree, Unintended Consequences

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For More On Adaptation

• Vol 43: Defining Exaptations
• Vol 94: Exaptation 3.0 – Affordances, Niche Construction and Innovation
• Vol 44: Folding In And Out Of Exaptations
• Vol 93: Affordances, Exaptations & Creative Practices
• Vol 212: Creativity – Never “One and Done”
• Vol 42: What is the Use of Half a Wing?
• Vol 222: Trans-Wor(l)dly Thickets
• Vol 213: Creativity’s Cycles