TED Talks Daily
The "adjacent possible" -- and how it explains human innovation | Stuart Kauffman
Aug 25, 2023
Stuart Kauffman, a pioneering theoretical biologist, introduces his groundbreaking concept of the 'adjacent possible,' which reveals how every innovation lays the groundwork for future breakthroughs. He traces a fascinating path from evolutionary advancements to today's tech revolution, illustrating how unexpected creativity can lead to rapid change. Kauffman also emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable solutions to combat climate change, advocating for responsible innovation to protect all life on Earth.
11:07
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Quick takeaways
- The Adjacent Possible theory explains how new possibilities emerge through combining existing elements, resulting in bursts of creativity in biological evolution and technological advancements.
- Exploring new adjacent possibilities, such as enhancing soil health through fungal bacterial communities, can help combat pressing global environmental challenges.
Deep dives
The Adjacent Possible and Understanding What's Possible
Stuart Kaufman introduced the concept of the Adjacent Possible, a mathematical theory that explains what is possible. The theory focuses on understanding what happens next. It highlights that things can be combined to create new things, leading to the emergence of new possibilities. For example, the Cambrian explosion, which occurred 540 million years ago, saw a burst of creativity resulting in the creation of various phyla. The theory emphasizes that finding new uses for things, also known as jury rigging, is not a deduction but a creative process that the biosphere continually undergoes.
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