The “adjacent possible” — and how it explains human innovation

Stuart Kauffman | TED2023

• April 2023

From the astonishing evolutionary advances of the Cambrian explosion to our present-day computing revolution, the trend of dramatic growth after periods of stability can be explained through the theory of the “adjacent possible,” says theoretical biologist Stuart Kauffman. Tracing the arc of human history through the tools and technologies we’ve invented, he explains the impact human ingenuity has had on the planet — and calls for a shift towards more protection for all life on Earth.

About the speaker

Stuart Kauffman

“Adjacent possible” originatorSee speaker profile

Stuart Kauffman’s work on the origin of life on Earth posits that complex biological systems may have resulted as much from self-organization as from natural selection.

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