Mechanisms of innovation from biological to cultural evolution

Abstract This chapter examines the fundamental mechanisms through which new ideas and innovations emerge, drawing comparisons between biological and cultural evolution. It begins by outlining the primary drivers of change in biology, such as mutation and natural selection, before shifting to cultural systems. The discussion then highlights key conceptual processes, such as exaptation, where existing structures are repurposed for new functions, and serendipity, which emphasises the role of chance in discovery. These concepts are unified within the framework of tinkering in the ‘Adjacent Possible’, which represents the ever-expanding frontier of what can be created using existing elements.