Jump to Universality

A discovery that increases the Reach of an Idea from a bounded set to an unbounded set.

Examples: DNA replication in evolution, alphabet systems in writing, money in economics, base-ten numerals in mathematics. Each of these systems began with limited scope and then achieved Universality — the ability to represent anything within their domain.

Connections

• •Expands Reach from finite to infinite
• •Key instances: Genetic Knowledge (DNA), writing (alphabets), money, mathematics (numerals)
• •Achieves Universality — applying to every element in a class
• •Universal explainers represent the ultimate jump to universality in cognition
• •Universal Constructor would represent the jump to universality in physical transformation
• •A hallmark of Progress — transformative leaps in capability
• •Enabled by Creativity — recognizing the universal potential in a particular system