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How Innovation Works
- Serendipity, Energy and the Saving of Time
- Narrated by: Matt Ridley
- Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins
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How Innovation Works
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Summary
Building on his bestseller The Rational Optimist, Matt Ridley chronicles the history of innovation, and how we need to change our thinking on the subject.
Innovation is the main event of the modern age, the reason we experience both dramatic improvements in our living standards and unsettling changes in our society. It is innovation that will shape the twenty-first century. Yet innovation remains a mysterious process, poorly understood by policy makers and businessmen alike.
Matt Ridley argues that we need to see innovation as an incremental, bottom-up, fortuitous process that happens as a direct result of the human habit of exchange, rather than an orderly, top-down process developing according to a plan. Innovation is crucially different from invention, because it is the turning of inventions into things of practical and affordable use to people. It speeds up in some sectors and slows down in others. It is always a collective, collaborative phenomenon, involving trial and error, not a matter of lonely genius. It still cannot be modelled properly by economists, but it can easily be discouraged by politicians. Far from there being too much innovation, we may be on the brink of an innovation famine.
Ridley derives these and other lessons from the lively stories of scores of innovations – from steam engines to search engines – how they started and why they succeeded or failed.
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Critic reviews
‘An insightful and charming exploration of questions that range from the truly profound (How does our species capture energy to stave off decay and death?) to the merely fascinating (Why did it take us so long to invent the wheeled suitcase?)’ Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor, Harvard University, and author of Enlightenment Now
‘From the Stone Age to smartphones and from farming to fission, Matt Ridley demonstrates with a plethora of examples how innovation has changed and, for the most part, improved the human condition, despite repeated resistance and frequent failure. Given the freedom of thought that innovation needs, he argues, we can ensure the survival of the planet. We abandon it or constrain it at our peril’ Sir Tim Laurence, Chairman of English Heritage
‘In this insightful and delightful book, Matt Ridley explores the wondrous causes of innovation, the force that drives our modern economy. He shows that it’s a team sport, but one that features many colourful stars. It’s a joy to tag along with him as he mines the history of human advances to discover nuggets of useful lessons’ Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs
‘A compelling case for free enterprise and free trade and the power of serendipity.’ Liz Truss MP, Secretary of State for International Trade
What listeners say about How Innovation Works
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- susanneshi
- 11-10-20
Truly enjoyed every minute
It’s time to make innovation work! Agree!
The book ends with a few words on Covid-19 after taking us through detailed and interesting steps on innovation throughout history and the world. Listening to the writer’s pleasant voice as he reads his book, it becomes clear that we are now (2020) truly in a situation where we should embrace the opportunity the world has thrown us. It’s a positive and encouraging lesson learned. A true gem to interrupt the working from home routine.
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- Sassy
- 21-07-20
Another brilliant book by Matt Ridley
A Fascinating Topic - which held my attention right until the end of the book. The fact that it is narrated by Matt Ridley is a real bonus.
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- The Lemon
- 29-09-22
should be compulsory reading for everyone
innovation the goose that lays the golden eggs, yet no one stops to reflect on this. Matt does and excellent effort to shed light on how it works.
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- Vox
- 02-01-21
How Innovation Works is a superb audiobook
Matt Wridley takes the listener on a fascinating tour. Walking the meandering trails left by dozens of world-changing innovations. Busting the myth of future-seeing geniuses working in isolation and big reveal moments.
It's more than hindsight and history. Matt drills down to what innovation actually is. With plenty of thought-provoking insights, questions, and thoughts for the future.
The structure and the narration makes this an effortless and compelling listen. Excellent!
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- William Jones
- 25-09-20
Interesting perspective on Innovation
I was only interested in the conceptual discussion concerning innovation, so I skipped the case studies. The conceptual stuff was great, as was the reading of it. Great work, Matt!
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- Dean Bubley
- 11-08-20
Deep insight into the accelerants & brakes on innovation
“How Innovation Works”
This is one of the best books I’ve read / listened to in a while.
Matt Ridley gives a really lively history of innovation - and how it’s more about hard work, trial & error & incremental gains than sudden Eureka moments.
Also gives coruscating criticism of the so-called “precautionary principle” & how it stifles innovation, along with unnecessary regulatory hurdles & bureaucratic timewasting & over-caution.
Totally recommend it - and also hope that everyone in government (& opposition) absorbs it in totality.
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- Jgallacher
- 07-10-23
Excellent enjoyable tour of innovation
Matt is both excellent author and orator. He weaves the journey of innovation from stone age to digital age with excellent observation, concise prose and good humour. Excellent listen.
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- Mr. H
- 12-08-20
Fascinating and challenging
A very interesting and important message for our time. A must-read for intelligent readers.
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- Andrew HOLMES
- 08-09-20
excellent book and compelling insight
I couldn't recommend this book highly enough, a fitting follow on from Matt Ridley's previous book, the rational optimist.
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- U. Metten
- 26-12-20
eye-opener for big questions
as you go through the book it gives a new sight to common questions time after time. will listen it again!
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