How an emerging pattern of material flow could empower innovation

Trade and manufacturing are two cornerstones of the human endeavour, together they shape a society's flow of tangible, material goods. As discussed in a brief history of material flow, trade and manufacturing have evolved only very slowly for most of our history, with the significant exception of the period after the Industrial Revolution. Today I'll present snapshots of … Continue reading How an emerging pattern of material flow could empower innovation →

A brief history of material flow …

Material and its flow determine whether novelty of thought can take shape as novelty of deed, whether an innovative idea is actually pulled through to a tangible reality. Even more than energy does (see energy for innovation). So it's time to talk about the third flow in systems theory (apart from information and energy): What is … Continue reading A brief history of material flow … →

When energy flow broke free …

From an energy perspective, you might split the entire history of mankind in just two phases: one before, and the other after the Industrial Revolution. Before that incisive event, an archaic pattern of energy flow ruled: muscle was the main source of energy to fulfil human needs; this source was decentralised and easily available to everybody, but … Continue reading When energy flow broke free … →

How information flow empowers innovation in the future

The flow of information, its density, volume and accessibility are essential underpinnings to a society's innovation capacity. In this short series of posts, I've taken a historic perspective, looking at the information revolution in the middle ages, and at the technological and societal developments up to the 20th century, before turning to the 21st century and the dominant … Continue reading How information flow empowers innovation in the future →

How information flow empowers innovation – Part 3

Much has been said and written about the transformative power of the internet; how it affects every aspect of our lives; how it keeps changing our economy, society, culture. Today, I'll take stock of the most profound effects the internet has had so far. For me, the term "the internet" is a chiffre for the current performance level that information and … Continue reading How information flow empowers innovation – Part 3 →