From deep in the TED archive, Danny Hillis outlines an intriguing theory of how and why technological change seems to be accelerating, by linking it to the very evolution of life itself.  The presentation techniques he uses may look dated, but the ideas are as relevant as ever.

Danny Hillis: Back to the future (of 1994)

Back to the future (of 1994)

Evolution of technology parallels life on Earth, transforming from single-cell simplicity to complex societal organisms.

DNA as a storage medium highlights our ability to innovate, mirroring nature's evolutionary leaps on a microscopic scale.

Using evolution to design computers, humans can now catalyze technological growth, transcending natural evolutionary timelines.