This phrase came to me while reading “Scale” by Geoffrey West, as I've been reflecting on how learning about Bitcoin has led me down a deep rabbit hole, and also how it parallels our journey as photographers—where curiosity rewards us with better images.

In essence, curiosity can be seen as the driving force— or vector— that propels evolution forward. Curiosity fuels exploration, experimentation, and discovery, leading to new ideas, technologies, and adaptations.

This aligns with the concept that energy, in its pursuit of efficiency, constantly seeks the path of least resistance.

As systems evolve and grow more complex, they become more efficient, conserving energy in the process.

Image source: Giovanni Santostasi. This shows the scaling relationship of how a power law works in both BTC and mammals. Note that both are in Log-Log.

When we consider exponential growth and innovation, curiosity plays a pivotal role. It is the catalyst that sparks innovation, driving exponential growth by pushing boundaries and exploring the unknown.

This, in turn, accelerates the pace of evolution, as new discoveries and innovations build upon previous ones, creating a feedback loop that perpetuates this growth.

Time, in this context, becomes a critical factor. As the pace of innovation quickens, time seems to compress, requiring even faster adaptation and evolution.

“In order to reach a new cycle of innovation in West’s model above (and thus avoid collapse), you need a paradigm or phase shift to usher in a new wave of growth and productivity”

Curiosity, therefore, not only drives the direction of evolution but also sets the tempo, ensuring that systems can keep up with the ever-increasing speed of change.

In summary, curiosity acts as the vector that guides and accelerates the process of evolution, allowing systems to become more efficient, adapt to new challenges, and maintain their trajectory of exponential growth.