Innovation emerges from recombination of information and energy

Innovation occurs when energy and information combine in ways that haven't occurred before in a particular environment and find a place in the ecology of that environment.

New combinations are encouraged by an environment which creates the maximum opportunity for non-linear interaction. When these interactions pass a threshold point of energy and information exchange, positive returns begin to occur and risk/reward moves in the intended direction. Energy- information exists in smaller "chunks" or "packets" than our logical categories and requires interaction at this level for maximum recombination opportunity.

The environment in which the recombinations occur is equally important. An old idea in a new environment (time and place) is new. It is as likely to find a niche as any first occurrence of recombination. An environment which is friendly to new combination of energy-information is one which is not too full nor too empty. Too full means that there is no excess of resources to nurture the new and likely little space in which to establish a "fit" to the environment. Too empty suggests a lack of opportunity for contact and nourishment and too much space to explore connection possibilities.

Explosions of new ideas as well as life forms occur when there is space in the ecology for survival without immediate need to provide immediate value or in some way outperform what exists already. Disasters and isolation occurrences like tidepools provide this in nature. Living things provide this as parents for the young.

The other major environment required is one which is constantly looking for new sources of growth, improvement, nourishment and increasing efficiency. A welcoming environment for the new to test and discover its fit into the environment is provided by opportunity with increasing threshold points for future growth. Failure to pass the threshold increases the energy required on the new and provided increasing threats to its survival. Success provides a reduction in energy required to continue.E