# selection (choice)

When differences among things lead to some persisting and others not, based on what is regular.

- Computed level: L11 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: EmergenceLexicon

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [difference](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-difference.relation), [persist](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-persist.continue), [pattern](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-pattern.regularity)

**Through:** Differences among things interact with persistence over time such that only those matching a regular pattern continue.

**Novel properties:**
- outcome-based filtering
- non-random retention

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-selection.choice*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-selection.choice.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*