Maximizing Evolvability

Abstract

For teaching or consulting in the area of futures studies, the author developed an approach called the theory of evolving systems. This approach is based on the author's personal quest to understand the future in a way that avoids the arbitrary and relative nature of many futures-related activities. The evolving-systems approach is a science-based framework that enables students or clients to use their knowledge in a nested evolutionary context to discern a finite number of high-probability generic alternative futures. Furthermore, this approach enables students or clients to differentiate alternatives futures that can maximize evolvability from those that are dystopian or devolutionary.