hypervolume

In the case of hypersolids there are rules for computing the volume of the boundary or of portions of the boundary, and for computing the hypervolume, that is, the magnitude of that portion of four-space inclosed.

The Fourth Dimension Simply Explained 1910

In fact, some evolutionary algorithms may indeed be stuck to a particular hypervolume but that is a feature by design, not a limitation of evolutionary algorithms and in fact, in evolution it seems that gene duplication is a major contributor to innovation.

Bill and his strawmen - The Panda's Thumb 2007

They don't assume a designer or observer necessarily, only that there is a hypervolume of possibility that can be resolved to a solution by some method.

A Nagging Question about MN 2005

Remember how ID proponents used to argue that evolutionary theory could not explain ‘creativity’ as “evolutionary algorithms are stuck to a particular hypervolume”?

Bill and his strawmen - The Panda's Thumb 2007

Furthermore, the fitness function explicitly targets the Steiner solution within that hypervolume—and the program simply follows the fitness function to find the answer.

Target? TARGET? We don't need no stinkin' Target! - The Panda's Thumb 2006

All together, there are about 7*1024+10 = 7*1034 possible organisms in the “hypervolume” - a large number indeed.

Target? TARGET? We don't need no stinkin' Target! - The Panda's Thumb 2006

All this encoding places the program in the hypervolume of networks and the Steiner problem.

Target? TARGET? We don't need no stinkin' Target! - The Panda's Thumb 2006

Here are two physical realizations of such networks - just two members of untold billions from the “hypervolume” of possible solutions.

Target? TARGET? We don't need no stinkin' Target! - The Panda's Thumb 2006

This is representative of the typical “organism on the street,” selected randomly from the vast hypervolume of solutions.

Target? TARGET? We don't need no stinkin' Target! - The Panda's Thumb 2006

If the connections in the Genetic Algorithm are physically represented by wooden sticks of various lengths, and the nodes are physically represented by bolts that can be used to connect the sticks at their ends, then the “hypervolume” of possible solutions includes any and all arrangements of sticks, provided that the bolts used to connect the sticks have one of the five fixed positions, or any allowed “variable” position.

Target? TARGET? We don't need no stinkin' Target! - The Panda's Thumb 2006