[kccqzy]

> if we want to get closer to the study of the pure phenomenon of innovation

Innovation in the real world is often driven by the usual incentives of capitalism, like the basic need to out-compete the competitors by improving quality or lowering costs. I do not really think Game of Life serves as a model for innovation in the real world; it might serve as a model of the pure phenomenon of innovation. In the real world, even things like pure math research is motivated by applied math, by monetary factors like NSF grants etc.

[nickpsecurity]

I agree. Going back further, we see the innovation drivers were God providing for man (Bible), people providing for their needs/wants at a societal level (most systems), individuals pursuing what they enjoy, seemingly random acts that go against reason, etc.

This was enacted via specific processes (human brain) using resources and their environment within their constraints, sometimes surplus. It involved local and global phenomenon that were dependent and independent.

In short, it's nothing like cellular automata or most simplistic models of the world. We'd have to model the above within this world's laws to know what drives innovation among humans in this world.

[leepyaar]

This is a myopic view.

How would we have gotten to the point of human history when capitalism became predominant if innovation is driven by capitalism?

Also, humanity is hardly an economy of capitalism any more. More similar to oligarchical capital feudalism.

[kccqzy]

Well the pace of innovation before the dominance of capitalism was slow. It became much faster afterwards.

[enslavedrobot]

You're right, it's just a coincidence that the advent of capitalism and an unimaginable increase in global wealth happened at the same time.

Thousands of texts written by historians and economists who dedicate their lives to understanding our past are totally wrong.

[nxobject]

I'm not sure what you're saying is inconsistent with parent's comment: you're both talking about different points in time in humanity's history – the snark seems unwarranted.

[enslavedrobot]

Calling the parent myopic while saying "Also, humanity is hardly an economy of capitalism any more. More similar to oligarchical capital feudalism." Is deserving of snark.

In the context of 5 centuries of capitalism we live in an age of unprecedented equality, freedom, and opportunity.

Further, observed over the last 5000 years of human civilization the stupendous rise of innovation under capitalism is so dramatic that implying it is not responsible for the wealth we enjoy today beggars belief.