2026-08-28·by Sijie Wang#optimization#kkt-isomorphisms

jevons-family

The Jevons family

The same structure as wirths-law-as-kkt-constraint, instantiated across domains — this is the "real-life KKT": one abstract pattern (a constraint floor + a cheaper resource + externalized cost) recognized isomorphically everywhere.

  • Jevons paradox — efficiency ↑ → consumption ↑ (coal, then energy generally)
  • Induced demand — wider roads → more traffic, same congestion
  • Peltzman effect — safer cars → riskier driving, same casualty rate
  • Parkinson's law — work expands to fill the time available

Each conserves a quantity by letting the slack created at one margin be eaten at another. The point of grouping them: once you see the KKT skeleton, you can predict the AI version (capability ↑ → ambition ↑, verification-is-the-new-latency) before it happens.

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