The Ingenuity Gap

by Thomas F. Homer Dixon · 2001

In 'The Ingenuity Gap', Thomas Homer-Dixon explores the critical dilemma facing modern society: as our world becomes increasingly complex and fast-paced, the problems we face—ranging from environmental degradation and financial crises to global pandemics—are proliferating at a rate that outstrips our ability to solve them. The author defines the 'ingenuity gap' as the widening chasm between our urgent need for innovative, practical solutions and our actual capacity to generate them. Through a blend of narrative storytelling and analytical examination, the book investigates whether human intelligence and social structures can keep pace with the accelerating challenges of the 21st century, warning that failure to bridge this gap may lead to political instability and societal upheaval.