There is evolution in everything.

This week I was listening to an interview with Salvatore Malatesta, owner of ST. ALi, he was talking about evolution in coffee; first wave, second wave and now third wave coffee.

There is evolution in everything.

Really obvious evolution can be seen in things like transport, communication and technology, what about less obvious evolution? Like skill and world issues.

Evolution is organic innovation; it occurs as environments become more complex. Evolution looks like a bell curve; there are early adaptors, innovators and futurepreneurs who live at the edge pushing the boundary and leading the way; the status quo is where the masses are and- like anything- there are laggards. Willam Gibson- author of Neuromancer- famously quoted, ”The future is already here – it’s just not evenly distributed”.

In western countries we see a large amount of professional services where in less-developed countries we see other industries dominate; manufacturing for example. Is that because less-developed countries haven’t yet evolved through the levels of complexity that western countries have?

Consider this model of evolution applied to word issues. As our environment becomes more complex world issues become more complex; climate change and water shortage compared to street crime and theft.

What I like about this model is it provides a framework for us to see what the future looks like. Look for the complexities that will become hurdles only evolution will overcome.