Form Follows Flow
Most engineered networks are static: the cables are laid, the routers are configured, and traffic is forced through them. In contrast, Adaptive Topology embraces the biological principle that "Function creates Structure."
In a mycelial network, hyphae extend into new territory (Exploration). If a food source is found, nutrients flow back, triggering the thickening of that hyphal thread into a cord (Exploitation). If no food is found, the thread withers. The map of the network is a direct reflection of the territory's resource distribution.
Software Defined Nature
In Web4, this translates to systems where:
- Bandwidth is allocated dynamically based on demand.
- Connections between nodes are strengthened (cached, prioritized) by frequent interaction.
- Data locality shifts to where data is being used.
This creates a system that is always "right-sized" for its current purpose, avoiding the waste of over-provisioning and the fragility of under-provisioning.