From the astonishing evolutionary advances of the Cambrian explosion to our present-day computing revolution, theoretical biologist Stuart Kauffman believes he can explain the trend of dramatic growth after periods of stability through what he calls the theory of the “adjacent possible.” Tracing the arc of human history through the tools and technologies we’ve invented, he explains the impact human ingenuity has had on the planet — and calls for a shift towards more protection for all life on Earth.