The Evolution of Everything

Imagine standing in a vast forest, where every leaf, branch, and root has grown not by a gardener’s deliberate hand but by countless small, unplanned changes over time. Evolution, in its broadest sense, is the invisible architect of everything around us. It is a story of unfolding, of gradual transformation that shapes not only the natural world but also the human realm—our societies, technologies, languages, and even our economies. This process is neither sudden nor directed by any master plan; instead, it is incremental, spontaneous, and emergent.

Consider the metaphor of 'skyhooks' and 'cranes.' Skyhooks are imagined devices hanging from the sky, representing explanations that rely on external, often supernatural, design. In contrast, cranes symbolize natural, ground-up processes—like evolution—that build complexity step by step. Throughout history, many cultures have preferred skyhooks, attributing the world's complexity to gods, monarchs, or masterminds. Yet, as we peel back the layers of history and science, we find that cranes, not skyhooks, are the true builders of complexity.

One ancient poet, whose work was buried for centuries, envisioned a world made of atoms moving in the void, without design or purpose. His ideas were suppressed for their threat to prevailing religious doctrines but resurfaced during the Renaissance, inspiring thinkers who laid the groundwork for modern science. These ideas remind us that the world is self-organizing and self-changing, with patterns emerging from local interactions rather than top-down commands.

Take the example of electric light. Its invention was not the result of a single genius’s plan but rather a long chain of small improvements by many individuals over centuries. The steam engine, the incandescent bulb, fluorescent tubes, and LEDs each represent incremental steps in a grand evolutionary process of technology. Similarly, languages evolve as speakers innovate and adapt, laws develop through precedent and judicial interpretation, and markets emerge from countless individual trades.

Yet, despite this overwhelming evidence, humans have a persistent tendency to see design where there is none. We credit generals for victories without recognizing the role of disease or luck; we praise inventors as sole creators while ignoring the ripe conditions that made inventions possible. This illusion of control is a blind spot that clouds our understanding of the world.

As we embark on this journey through the evolution of everything, remember that change is often unintended, emergent, and driven by trial and error rather than foresight and planning. Understanding this will help us see the world with clearer eyes and greater humility.

With this foundation laid, let us now explore how morality itself, often thought to be decreed from above, is in fact an evolved phenomenon arising from our social interactions and shared human nature.