Theorem of Not Independence of Any Technological Innovation

Abstract

The theorem of not independence of any technological innovation states that in the long run, the behavior and evolution of any technological innovation is not independent from the behavior and evolution of the other technological innovations. The philosophical foundations of this theory are concepts from systems science and architecture of complexity. The theoretical implications of this theorem is that technological innovations form systems of inter-related technologies with fundamental interactions of physical and social factors. In particular, any technological innovation does not function as an independent system per se, but each innovation depends on the other technological innovations to form a complex system of parts that interact and coevolve in a non-simple way. The theorem of not independence of any technological innovation can explain and generalize, whenever possible, one of the characteristics of the evolution of technology that generates technological and economic change in human society.