Concept · Silicon Valley / Startup Dogma
Zero to One
Origin: Peter Thiel (2014)
Biological Parallel
Key innovations—like the vertebrate jaw, insect wings, or flower—appear once in evolutionary history and unlock entire adaptive radiations. Going from 'zero to one' jaw enabled 60,000+ vertebrate species; going from 'one to n' just creates another fish. These innovations are saltational leaps that create new fitness landscapes, not incremental climbs up existing ones. Evolution rarely rewards being 10% better; it rewards being categorically different.