The Evolutionary Trajectory: The Growth of Information in the History and Future of Earth (World Futures General Evolution Studies)

Expanding the concept and extent of evolution beyond what is usually accepted or expected, Coren's empirically based Evolutionary Trajectory is the result of an innovative application of a cybernetic model of change and growth to the study of evolution. Bringing together a cybernetic analysis of changing systems, the study of organic evolution, thermodynamics, paleontology, and information theory the author argues that evolution is a single process - beginning with the Big Bang, continuing with organic change on earth and the growth of civilizations, and extending through to the technological accomplishments of mankind. This process is revealed through a study of the rate of evolutionary change on earth, how that change is measured and interpreted, the cyclic nature of its occurrence, and its continuity not only up to the present moment, but well into the future. After positing that the next major, evolutionary step is only 140 years away, the author discusses the forms it may take. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Introduction to the Series......Page 12 Preface......Page 14 Acknowledgments......Page 16 INTRODUCTION......Page 18 QUANTITATIVE MEASURE......Page 22 GENESIS......Page 44 BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION......Page 56 POST-BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION......Page 80 GROWTH AND ORGANIZATION......Page 92 CYBERNETIC EVOLUTION......Page 110 ENTROPY......Page 128 INFORMATION......Page 144 PROGRESS IN TIME......Page 170 CONSEQUENCES......Page 186 DERIVATION OF THE EVOLUTIONARY TRAJECTORY......Page 214 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EVOLUTIONARY TRAJECTORY......Page 218 References......Page 222 Index......Page 234 Bioscience & Clinical Medicine Book Cover 1 Title 4 Contents 5 Introduction to the Series 12 Preface 14 Acknowledgments 16 INTRODUCTION 18 QUANTITATIVE MEASURE 22 GENESIS 44 BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION 56 POST-BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION 80 GROWTH AND ORGANIZATION 92 CYBERNETIC EVOLUTION 110 ENTROPY 128 INFORMATION 144 PROGRESS IN TIME 170 CONSEQUENCES 186 DERIVATION OF THE EVOLUTIONARY TRAJECTORY 214 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EVOLUTIONARY TRAJECTORY 218 References 222 Index 234