The Dip

Biological Parallel

Germinating seeds face 'the dip'—a period of energy expenditure before photosynthesis begins where mortality peaks. Seeds that quit (enter dormancy) survive but don't thrive; those that persist through the dip reach sunlight and dominate. The dip filters: only organisms with sufficient reserves and favorable conditions survive the resource-intensive transition. Success requires recognizing which dips lead to exponential returns (worth the pain) versus dead ends (cut losses early). Biology navigates dips through bet-hedging and resource assessment.