Building Block Hypothesis

The building block hypothesis (Goldberg):

[[Genetic algorithms]] select for compact genes that encode impactful traits, because a short gene is less likely to be disrupted by mutation and [[crossover]] than is a long gene, which has more exposed surface area to disrupt.

These short-but-valuable genes become "building blocks" for evolution, allowing for [[composability | composition]] at the level of traits — a [[composable alphabets | composable alphabet]].

[[Composable Alphabets]]

Goldberg proposes the Building Block Hypothesis for [[Genetic Algorithms]] in particular. Are there other places where it may apply? Stories, ideas, aphorisms?

[[Evolution]]