Why Information Grows audiobook cover - The Evolution of Order, from Atoms to Economies

Why Information Grows

The Evolution of Order, from Atoms to Economies

César Hidalgo

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Society & CultureEconomics

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Why Information Grows
The Nature of Information+
Information vs. Entropy+
The Role of Solid Matter+
Human Accumulation+
The Economy as a Computer+
The Power of Networks+
Economic Inequality+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the text, what is the fundamental nature of information?
  • A. It is a purely immaterial concept derived from digital data.
  • B. It is the physical arrangement of atoms that holds inherent meaning.
  • C. It is the physical arrangement of atoms that is inherently meaningless until given meaning by knowledge.
  • D. It is a virtual entity that exists independently of a physical body.
Question 2 of 7
Why is information, or a specific ordering of atoms, considered exceedingly rare in the universe?
  • A. Because the universe naturally tends toward entropy, meaning there are far more ways to create disorder than order.
  • B. Because information can only be generated by conscious beings with advanced technology.
  • C. Because gravity constantly compresses atoms into indistinguishable, identical masses.
  • D. Because energy naturally repels physical matter, preventing the formation of stable structures.
Question 3 of 7
What crucial role does solid matter play in the preservation and growth of information on Earth?
  • A. Solid matter generates heat, which is necessary to fuse atoms into new forms of information.
  • B. Solid matter acts as a physical shell that protects information from dissipating into a disordered state.
  • C. Solid matter absorbs excess entropy from the atmosphere, keeping the planet's temperature mild.
  • D. Solid matter prevents biological organisms from mutating too rapidly.
Question 4 of 7
How do humans uniquely accumulate and 'crystallize' information compared to other species?
  • A. By genetically passing down detailed memories to subsequent generations.
  • B. By developing complex spoken languages to communicate abstract concepts.
  • C. By creating physical products that embody collective knowledge and imagination.
  • D. By consuming other organisms to absorb their cellular data.
Question 5 of 7
What concept does the author illustrate using the term 'personbyte'?
  • A. The exact number of digital devices an average human interacts with daily.
  • B. The genetic superiority of certain individuals in processing complex mathematics.
  • C. The unit of measurement used to quantify the physical weight of human DNA.
  • D. The limited amount of knowledge and know-how a single individual can accumulate over time.
Question 6 of 7
How does a society's level of trust affect its technological sophistication and prosperity?
  • A. Societies that trust only within the nuclear family tend to build larger, more stable global networks.
  • B. High trust between individuals and society at large allows for bigger networks, leading to greater prosperity.
  • C. Societies with low societal trust are forced to innovate faster to protect their local communities.
  • D. Trust has little impact on networks; global languages are the sole determinant of technological success.
Question 7 of 7
According to the text, why do rich countries continue to attract talent and grow richer while poor countries struggle?
  • A. Rich countries have exclusive access to natural resources that poor countries lack.
  • B. Poor countries actively reject the use of global languages, isolating their economies.
  • C. People ('personbytes') prefer to join existing, established networks rather than building new ones from scratch.
  • D. The mild temperatures in rich countries allow for better preservation of physical products.

Why Information Grows — Full Chapter Overview

Why Information Grows Summary & Overview

Why Information Grows (2015) takes you straight to the heart of the battle between entropy and order, examining the way that information is propagated and its impact on life, civilization and the universe. In doing so, the book offers a thought-provoking explanation for the success of human beings on earth.

Who Should Listen to Why Information Grows?

  • Anybody interested in economics
  • Anybody wanting to know the truth about order and chaos
  • Anybody interested in what makes our planet special

About the Author: César Hidalgo

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).

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