Analyst’s Crucible (Evolution)
Three Books That Will Evolve Your Perspective
Evolution may seem an unusual topic for a series dedicated to challenging and educating analysts. The evolutionary process, however, is everywhere. So many parts of nature and society develop based on evolutionary principles that is critical that all analysts have a solid background on its history and implications.
Evolution is a process of iterative optimization based on feedback. The mechanisms for change may vary and feedback is often defined quite differently from system to system, but everything evolves. Of course, we are getting a bit ahead of ourselves.
History
Contrary to popular opinion, but as is often the case, Darwin was not the first to write about evolution. He wasn’t first among his contemporaries, but more importantly, he was two millennia behind Lucretious.
For his part, Lucretius was a Greek poet who wrote about what he observed in the world around him. While his poetry has many examples of ‘science’ that did not stand up to the tests of time — it is remarkable for the many more things that did. Specifically, his description of the process of evolution in nature.
Modern Times
Evolution is a pretty popular subject these days. Despite two thousand years of observation on the nature of things, some still question its existence. More correctly, they question whether evolution displaces other stories of divine origin. That debate is best left to the blogs and articles of other authors. There are plenty available.
Also available to the modern reader is the work of Matt Ridley. Ridley is a British Journalist and Viscount. He is a member of the House of Lords, a one time banker, and oft published writer on science and economics. In other words, he is broadly knowledgeable and quite interesting fellow. As is the first of his books:
Just as the poet Lucretious aptly titled his writing, Ridley has done us the favor as well. Matt examines the role of evolutionary processes in a wealth of human behaviors including language, economics, and the development of civilization.
Impact and Application
Before his effort to demonstrate the influence of evolutionary processes across human history and interaction, Matt focused just on Economics. In 2011, he published:
We present it second because this book focuses more on the impact and application of evolutionary forces. In this book, Matt examines their impact on the prosperity of society. This includes man’s evolution to better technology, higher standards of living, and broader economic freedom.
The Rational Optimist is also a great place to close. Its optimistic tones and bright outlook for our future will leave you feeling pretty good about society as a whole. His comparison to market systems also supplies us with an understanding of the process and the safeguards that keep mankind moving ever upward, despite individual failings and temporary lapses.
Evolution is not the buzzword today that it may have been a few decades ago. It is however no less important or present than more popular concepts like Cognitive Science or even the Internet of Things. Analysts should have a deep understanding of its existence and impact on the systems, markets, and communities around them.
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