Ted Talks Daily – The “adjacent possible” — and how it explains human innovation | Stuart Kauffman

Intro

In this episode of Ted Talks Daily, Stuart Kauffman, the founder of the concept of the adjacent possible, discusses how this theory explains human innovation. He explores the idea that the evolving biosphere creates new possibilities, and how this process can be applied to various fields, from technology to soil health.

Main Takeaways

The Theory of the Adjacent Possible

• Stuart Kaufman founded the idea of the adjacent possible, a mathematical theory that helps us understand what’s possible.
• The adjacent possible is the process of creating new things from existing ones.
• We cannot deduce what is in the adjacent possible, but the evolving biosphere will create, then become.

Innovation and the Evolving Biosphere

• The biocer has been bubbling forth for four billion years, creating new possibilities in the universe.
• The Cambrian explosion is similar to the current pattern of technological advancement.
• The waiting time for new inventions decreases with each new creation.

Applying the Adjacent Possible to Soil Health

• Composting and good fungal bacterial communities can help reduce carbon emissions and improve soil health.
• Fungal bacterial communities can create solutions to soil problems.
• Using composting and good fungal bacterial communities can improve soil health.
• Novel adjacent possibilities can be created through fungal bacterial communities.

The Power to Make Positive Changes

• Jury rigging is forever innovating in a way that’s not a deduction.
• The number of things in the economy increases slowly until a sudden explosion occurs, leading to infinite possibilities.
• We are not above nature, and the planet needs our help.
• We have the power to make positive changes now.

Summary

The Theory of the Adjacent Possible

Stuart Kauffman introduces the concept of the adjacent possible, a theory that explains how new things emerge from existing ones. This theory suggests that the evolving biosphere creates new possibilities that were previously inaccessible. While we cannot deduce what is in the adjacent possible, we can observe how the biosphere continuously generates new innovations.

Innovation and the Evolving Biosphere

Kauffman highlights the parallel between the biocer, which has been creating new possibilities for four billion years, and the current pattern of technological advancement. He explains that as more innovations are created, the waiting time for new inventions decreases, leading to a potential explosion of infinite possibilities.

Applying the Adjacent Possible to Soil Health

Expanding the concept of the adjacent possible beyond technology, Kauffman explores its application to soil health. He emphasizes the importance of composting and fostering good fungal bacterial communities to reduce carbon emissions and improve soil quality. By leveraging the potential of these communities, novel adjacent possibilities can be created to address soil problems.

The Power to Make Positive Changes

Kauffman encourages a mindset of continuous innovation and adaptation, similar to the concept of jury rigging. He emphasizes that we are not separate from nature and that the planet needs our help. By recognizing our power to make positive changes, we can contribute to a sustainable future.

Conclusion

The theory of the adjacent possible provides a framework for understanding human innovation and the potential for creating new possibilities. By embracing this concept and applying it to various domains, from technology to environmental conservation, we can contribute to positive change and a more sustainable future.