The Laws of Nature: 3 Rules from History for the Success of Any Organism, Idea, Or Technology

Why do some ideas and technologies proliferate across history, whilst others die painfully? Innovations aren't just bound by the laws of Physics, but also the powerful laws of Nature and Biology.

In the "Lessons of History", Will and Ariel Durant propose the 3 Laws of Biology. Extending on the work of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution with a lens of human history. They explain the rules that govern life on earth and how it applies to humanity. In this episode, Sam extends the concept whilst also explaining a brief history of life on Earth whilst he's at it.

In it, you'll learn the fundamental rules of competition, selection and reproduction that govern the success of any organism, idea or technology.

We'll explore Why did Julius Caesar care so much about fertility rates? Your secret past life as the most epic dinosaur, the Supersaurus What causes unbridled Capitalism or Communism to fail Is equality even good thing? And if so what do we do about it...

Come away with key mental models for understanding the future of innovation, technology and humanity.

ABOUT How to Change the World is an independent podcast on a mission to document the entire history of innovation. One world-changing event at a time. In the process we are building out frameworks and mental models to think more coherently about global change and the future of technology.

Learn more and contact us - ChangeTheWorldPod.com

Written, edited, recorded, and produced entirely by Sam Webster Harris. (He also makes the music...)

Help from: Designs - Francisca Correia (available to hire) Mentorship - Jeremy Enns (available to hire)

REFERENCES The Lessons of History - Will and Ariel Durant An epic overview of the lessons these authors learnt in the process of writing their series, covering every era of humanity.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humanity - Yuval Noah Harari This episode only used the first paragraph... But some of the topics of the history of life are also in the first chapter.

Home Deus: A History of Tomorrow - Yuval Noah Harari The first chapter has a great section about Famine, Disease, and War.

CHAPTERS 00:00 Is a hot dog a sandwich? 00:28 The Beginning of the Universe 01:10 The Story of Life on Earth 01:34 Three Rules of Biology 05:03 FIRST LAW: Life is Competition 09:54 SECOND LAW: Life is Selection 11:59 Inequality in Nature and Society 13:47 Balancing Freedom and Equality 16:48 THIRD LAW: Life Must Breed 18:34 Human Progress, Fire and Agriculture 19:10 Agricultural Revolution and Civilization 19:48 Fertility and Population Dynamics: Japan vs. Nigeria 21:12 Ideas and Religions: Survival of the Fittest 22:49 Horsemen of Apocalypse: Famine, Disease, and War 28:13 Modern Challenges and Fertility Trends 30:20 Conclusion and Future Episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.