Crossing the Chasm

Biological Parallel

The chasm is the gap between early adopters and mainstream populations—a fitness valley that kills most innovations. In adaptive landscapes, populations must cross valleys of low fitness to reach higher peaks. Genetic drift helps small populations (early adopters) explore risky variations, but larger populations resist change unless the benefit is overwhelming. Crossing requires either a bridge (intermediary niches that maintain fitness during transition) or a jump (dramatic mutation that vaults the gap). Most innovations die in the valley; only a few reach mainstream adoption.