A resource-selection calculation for web exploration; it is not by itself a continuous browser controller.
82 · Physiology & Perception
Web foraging
in GenOS.
A resource-selection calculation for web exploration; it is not by itself a continuous browser controller.
DEFINITION AND SCIENCE
What it means
in GenOS.
The marginal value theorem models when an idealized forager should leave a resource patch as returns diminish. A web-search policy may borrow the decision structure, but web information quality and cost need separate measurements.
Foraging theory models when to exploit or leave a resource patch. GenOS borrows this stopping structure for web search under quality and cost limits.
A resource-selection calculation for web exploration; it is not by itself a continuous browser controller.
Leave a patch when its marginal gain rate falls to the environment-wide average gain rate, under the theorem's assumptions. A runtime must define gain, travel cost, and stopping budget explicitly.
ANIMATED DIAGRAM · INTERACTIVE MODEL
01 / 03Explore the mechanism: Web foraging
A qualitative teaching model of this concept. It does not run GenOS or validate its implementation.
01Estimate source yieldINPUT
02Search under cost budgetMECHANISM
03Leave diminishing sourceCONDITIONAL OUTCOME
Current transition · Step 1Estimate source yield
The modeled transition may proceed. Change the assumption and move through the stages to inspect the decision path.
PROCESS AND USE
How it works
at a glance.
Estimate source yield
A resource-selection calculation for web exploration; it is not by itself a continuous browser controller.
Search under cost budget
Leave a patch when its marginal gain rate falls to the environment-wide average gain rate, under the theorem's assumptions. A runtime must define gain, travel cost, and stopping budget explicitly.
Leave diminishing source
Leave diminishing source. The marginal value theorem models when an idealized forager should leave a resource patch as returns diminish. A web-search policy may borrow the decision structure, but web information quality and cost need separate measurements.
RUNTIME IMPLEMENTATION
What is connected,
and how far.
The linked, versioned GenOS source defines this concept's supported operations and limits. The status axes describe the implementation and evidence recorded for this entry; they do not establish general mission success, scientific equivalence or behavior beyond that scope.
Bounded observation, patch selection and foraging actions are implemented and tested; continuous perception-action-verification and quality benchmarks remain open.
Failure modes have not yet been separately cataloged for this entry; follow the source and evidence links before relying on the mechanism.
PRIMARY RESEARCH · MECHANISM LEVEL
The mechanism
behind the analogy.
Optimal foraging, the marginal value theorem
Eric L. Charnov · Theoretical Population Biology 9(2), 129–136
Derives an idealized patch-leaving rule under stated assumptions. A software resource-selection heuristic is not empirically validated by the ecological model.
Open publication ↗Primary research describes the cited mechanism; specific technologies may instead cite their original technical documentation. These sources provide context and do not validate the GenOS implementation.
EVIDENCE AND LIMITS
Scope and validation boundaries
The linked, versioned GenOS source defines this concept's supported operations and limits. The status axes describe the implementation and evidence recorded for this entry; they do not establish general mission success, scientific equivalence or behavior beyond that scope.