Why Information Grows

Book summary

César A. Hidalgo leads the Macro Connections group at the MIT Media Lab and is an associate professor of media arts and sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the author of many lauded academic publications and the co-author of The Atlas of Economic Complexity (2014).

The universe is a complex interplay of matter, energy, and data, where disorder, or entropy, overwhelmingly prevails over order. Information, represented by specific arrangements of atoms, is rare and fragile, as seen in examples like a Bugatti car or a Rubik’s cube, where maintaining order is far more challenging than succumbing to chaos. Yet, Earth defies this universal trend, thanks to its moderate conditions that allow solids, like cells, to preserve and process information. Humans, uniquely capable of transforming raw materials into innovative creations, rely on collective knowledge passed through generations to achieve advancements like robotic limbs or smartphones. Data, the tangible arrangement of particles, surrounds us in everything from DNA to everyday objects, though it holds no inherent meaning until interpreted through context. Prosperity across nations is deeply tied to networks of knowledge, with wealthier regions benefiting from established systems that attract expertise, while less developed areas struggle with barriers to entry. The expansion of global networks, aided by shared languages and cultural trust, has made knowledge more accessible, yet disparities persist, as regions with stronger connections continue to thrive while others lag behind.

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