#107 Matt Ridley: Infinite Innovation

In this book, Kevin Kelly presents a sweeping vision of technology as a living force that is an extension of biological evolution. He introduces the concept of the 'technium,' a global, massively interconnected system of technology that evolves based on its own inherent desires and instincts. Kelly argues that technology is not just a tool but a self-evolving entity that gives our lives greater meaning. He outlines a dozen trajectories for technology in the coming decades and emphasizes the importance of aligning ourselves with technology's agenda to capture its colossal potential. The book is both visionary and optimistic, exploring how technology can expand our individual potential and drive progress in society.

In 'Second Nature', Nathaniel Rich delves into the transformative effects of human activities on the natural world. The book highlights how human interventions have blurred the lines between natural and artificial, dystopia and utopia, and science fiction and science fact. Rich presents stories of ordinary people struggling to maintain their humanity in an increasingly alien world, and discusses various scenarios such as the reanimation of extinct species, the use of biotechnology, and the consequences of climate change. The narrative explores the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities that come with our actions towards nature, asking what kind of world we want to create in place of the one we have lost.

In this book, Steven Pinker presents a detailed argument that violence has significantly decreased over the course of human history. He uses extensive data and statistical analysis to demonstrate this decline in various domains, including military conflict, homicide, genocide, torture, and the treatment of children, homosexuals, animals, and racial and ethnic minorities. Pinker identifies four key human motivations – empathy, self-control, the moral sense, and reason – as the 'better angels' that have oriented humans away from violence and towards cooperation and altruism. He also discusses historical forces such as the rise of the state (which he terms 'Leviathan'), the spread of commerce, the growth of feminist values, and the expansion of cosmopolitanism, which have contributed to this decline in violence.

In 'The Rational Optimist', Matt Ridley presents a bold and provocative interpretation of economic history, arguing that the innate human tendency to trade goods and services, along with specialization, is the source of modern human civilization. The book covers the entire sweep of human history from the Stone Age to the Internet, highlighting how life is improving at an accelerating rate through increased food availability, income, and life span, while disease, child mortality, and violence are decreasing globally. Ridley emphasizes the role of free trade, individual rights, and innovation in enhancing human prosperity and natural biodiversity despite potential setbacks.

In 'How Innovation Works', Matt Ridley argues that innovation is a collective, collaborative, and gradual process that turns inventions into practical and affordable solutions. He emphasizes that innovation is distinct from invention and requires freedom to exchange, experiment, and fail. Ridley draws on numerous historical examples, from steam engines to search engines, to illustrate how innovation speeds up in some sectors and slows down in others. He also highlights the importance of trial and error, persistence, and the role of many individuals rather than solitary geniuses in the innovation process. The book underscores that innovation is crucial for modern prosperity and warns that it can be easily discouraged by political interference.

In 'The Origins of Virtue', Matt Ridley delves into the evolution of human morality, arguing that cooperative instincts may have evolved as part of mankind's natural selfish behavior. He integrates findings from genetics, psychology, and anthropology to provide a comprehensive view of human relationships and societal development. The book challenges traditional views on altruism and cooperation, suggesting they stem from self-interest.