This is actually a very important principle that science is learning about large systems like evolution and that futurists are learning about anticipating human society: just because a future scenario is plausible doesn't mean we can get there from here.

Quote by Kevin Kelly

Topics: Kevin Kelly Quotes

Basins of attraction, of self organization, show up as well in our complex social environment,...

Basins of attraction, of self organization, show up as well in our complex social environment,...

Changing things from the top down works when things are stable.

Changing things from the top down works when things are stable.

The system continually has to make this choice: it can either continue to exploit a...

The system continually has to make this choice: it can either continue to exploit a...

Complexity that works is built up out of modules that work perfectly, layered one over...

Complexity that works is built up out of modules that work perfectly, layered one over...

It has become evident that the primary lesson of the study of evolution is that...

It has become evident that the primary lesson of the study of evolution is that...

Species go extinct because there are historical contraints built into a given body or a...

Species go extinct because there are historical contraints built into a given body or a...

Everything that we are making, we are making more and more complex.

Everything that we are making, we are making more and more complex.

But in fact, when you try to model that on a computer you find that...

But in fact, when you try to model that on a computer you find that...

The way to build a complex system that works is to build it from very...

The way to build a complex system that works is to build it from very...

One of the functions of an organization, of any organism, is to anticipate the future,...

One of the functions of an organization, of any organism, is to anticipate the future,...

The nature of an innovation is that it will arise at a fringe where it...

The nature of an innovation is that it will arise at a fringe where it...

Much of outcomes research is a systematic attempt to exploit what is known and make...

Much of outcomes research is a systematic attempt to exploit what is known and make...

Technological advances could allow us to see more clearly into our own lives.

Technological advances could allow us to see more clearly into our own lives.

We are infected by our own misunderstanding of how our own minds work.

We are infected by our own misunderstanding of how our own minds work.

And they discovered something very interesting: when it comes to walking, most of the ant's...

And they discovered something very interesting: when it comes to walking, most of the ant's...

Each organism's environment, for the most part, consists of other organisms.

Each organism's environment, for the most part, consists of other organisms.

Managing bottom-up change is its own art.

Managing bottom-up change is its own art.

The most certain thing you can say about the environment tomorrow is that it probably...

The most certain thing you can say about the environment tomorrow is that it probably...

Managers tend to treat organizations as if they are infinitely plastic. They hire and fire,...

Managers tend to treat organizations as if they are infinitely plastic. They hire and fire,...

Each system is trying to anticipate change in the environment.

Each system is trying to anticipate change in the environment.