MASK Theory of Change

The MASK Theory of Change in the context of human evolution

Creativity drives human evolution in a continuous cycle: people shape their environment, the environment shapes people, and we, in turn, shape the environment again.

Three billion years ago, simple organisms developed sensitivity to light, leading to the evolution of a visual system that catalyzed the development of a nervous system.

Neurons specialising in visual information increased organisms' specialisation and therefore, their efficiency. The brain-vision interaction improved survival: animals that recognised colors, faces and movements were more successful in feeding, hunting and mating.

Two million years ago, early hominins, Homo habilis, marked the dawn of human creativity by creating Oldowan tools for cutting meat and bones. Their brain size increased to 700 cm³, double that of their ape predecessors.

One-and-a-half million years ago, Homo erectus consciously embraced creativity inventing more tools, growing their brain size to 900 cm³. Communities began to value creativity, ensuring its continuation in future generations.

Forty thousand years ago, Homo sapiens created even more diverse tools and art, with brain sizes reaching 1200-1500 cm³, similar to modern humans.

The human brain is still evolving. Over the last 100 years, there has been an increase in human intelligence: the average IQ has risen by 24 points. This increase is not due to biological evolution— the time span is too short for that— but to rising innovation, which has altered the ways people live and work.

In the 21st century, technology is rapidly transforming civilization, presenting both opportunities and challenges.

To face these changes, society needs a new type of education, creativity-centred, to fully unlock its potential and enable people to both successfully navigate and shape the changes.