Steven Johnson

Steven Johnson is a best-selling author and the leading mind of today’s interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to innovation. He unites a deep understanding of scientific progress with a sharp sensitivity to contemporary online trends. Johnson was chosen by Prospect magazine as one of the Top Ten Brains of the Digital Future, and The Wall Street Journal called him “one of the most persuasive advocates for the role of collaboration in innovation.”

Johnson’s newest book, "Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer," is an entertaining, wide-ranging and surprising look at how human species managed to double life expectancy in just one hundred years. How many of those extra twenty thousand days came from vaccines, or the decrease in famines, or seatbelts? What are the forces that now keep us alive longer? Behind this breakthrough lies an inspiring story of cooperative innovation and brilliant thinkers bolstered by strong public support systems and collaborative networks. "Extra Life" was made into a PBS TV series.

Johnson’s writing on the history of innovation inspired the Emmy-nominated six-part series on PBS, How We Got To Now with Steven Johnson. The book version of How We Got To Now debuted at #4 on the New York Times bestseller list, and was a finalist for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award. His TED talk on innovation has been viewed more than five million times.