Have You Read Stephen Johnson’s Emergence?

And would you like to meet for coffee?

I read Stephen Johnson’s book Emergence about two years ago, and was fascinated (+ Future Perfect was a great sequel). While working on a story recently, I realized that I use to have a copy, but that I’d leant it to a coworker a job ago and now my annotated book is likely gone forever. My first thought was- “who do I know who has a copy?” And I realized, I’m not sure I’ve ever talked to anyone else who’s read it.

And let me tell you, it’s a great book. It’s got a pop-sci feel (but the science is solid), it’s relatively short, highly accessible, and, as I say, full of fascinating insight on how complexity and organization emerge from chaos, with examples from ants, brains, and neighborhoods to politics and Reddit. It’s a relevant read for anyone in science (hard or social), technology, policy, leadership, or anyone who interacts with those topics (ie everyone).

It was a best-seller when it was released in 2002, and has remained relevant in the intervening years. It’s chock full of good ideas that have been discussed all over- including on at least one highly compelling episode of NPR’s RadioLab. I see the ideas and theories Johnson describes play out in the world, and I’m sure others do as well, with or without noticing.

Have you read this book? I know someone, somewhere, must have. If so, would you like to talk about it? I’d love to unpack it with, really, anyone.

If yes- please let me know.