New study identifies limits for innovation networks

A new study highlights a narrow balance in innovation and exnovation to prevent system failures.

Scientists reveal limits for innovation networks to avoid collapse

Recent research from the Complexity Science Hub has unveiled that while connections between various innovations can accelerate discovery, they also raise the risk of total system collapse. The study, published in Physical Review Research, outlines that the sustainability of long-term innovation is contingent upon a delicate balance between creating new possibilities and letting go of outdated ones. Lead researcher Eddie Lee emphasizes the danger of over-connecting innovations, likening it to building a house of cards too quickly, which makes the system fragile.

This research underscores a critical tension in the realm of technological advancements. As countries like China and the United States vie for dominance in emerging technologies, understanding the thin line between too much and too little connectivity in innovation can prove essential. The study suggests an unexpected principle: promoting some level of separation among innovation paths may foster greater resilience. In essence, it challenges the prevailing notion that more connections always lead to stronger systems, demonstrating that strategic exnovation can be a key to sustaining progress.

Highlights

This research raises questions about how nations manage their innovation ecosystems going forward.