The Evolution of Everything: How New Ideas Emerge
Written by Matt Ridley
Narrated by Steven Crossley
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
“Mr. Ridley’s best and most important work to date…there is something profoundly democratic and egalitarian—even anti-elitist—in this bottom-up approach: Everyone can have a role in bringing about change.” —Wall Street Journal
The New York Times bestselling author of The Rational Optimist and Genome returns with a fascinating argument for evolution that definitively dispels a dangerous, widespread myth: that we can command and control our world
Human society evolves. Change in technology, language, morality, and society is incremental, inexorable, gradual, and spontaneous. It follows a narrative, going from one stage to the next, and it largely happens by trial and error—a version of natural selection. Much of the human world is the result of human action but not of human design: it emerges from the interactions of millions, not from the plans of a few.
Drawing on fascinating evidence from science, economics, history, politics, and philosophy, Matt Ridley demolishes conventional assumptions that the great events and trends of our day are dictated by those on high. On the contrary, our most important achievements develop from the bottom up. The Industrial Revolution, cell phones, the rise of Asia, and the Internet were never planned; they happened. Languages emerged and evolved by a form of natural selection, as did common law. Torture, racism, slavery, and pedophilia—all once widely regarded as acceptable—are now seen as immoral despite the decline of religion in recent decades.
In this wide-ranging, erudite book, Ridley brilliantly makes the case for evolution, rather than design, as the force that has shaped much of our culture, our technology, our minds, and that even now is shaping our future.
Matt Ridley
Matt Ridley is a bestselling author. His books include Genome, The Rational Optimist and How Innovation Works, among others and collectively they have sold over a million copies, been translated into 31 languages and won several awards.
More audiobooks from Matt Ridley
The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Genome: The Autobiography of a Species In 23 Chapters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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Reviews for The Evolution of Everything
62 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5An argument about sponteous order in economics and society - a libertarian or neo-liberal tract about free markets and limited government.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book. I enjoyed most of it. Recommended without a doubt.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazingly articulated view on evolution. This book is for the ones who believe in the process.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A great resource for expanding your awareness. The title could also be the history of everything. This is an excellent point of reference to delve into many different studies. Definitely bookshelf worthy!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5History, biology, science, IT, psychology, everything in one book. Good information!