Cultural Evolution

The process by which knowledge, practices, tools, and norms accumulate across generations—not through genetic inheritance but through social learning, imitation, and teaching. Joseph Henrich's framework shows that cultural evolution operates by similar principles to biological evolution (variation, selection, transmission) but at much faster timescales. Our species' success is primarily due to cumulative cultural knowledge, not individual intelligence.

When to use it

When designing knowledge management systems. When analyzing why certain cultures or organizations innovate faster. When thinking about how AI changes knowledge accumulation dynamics.

How it can help

Reframes innovation from 'individual genius' to 'collective accumulation.' Helps understand why some organizations and communities out-innovate others (better cultural transmission mechanisms). Essential for understanding AI collaboration as a new form of cultural evolution.