Wherever there is a design that is highly successful in a broad range of similar environments, it is apt to emerge again and again, independently - the phenomenon known in biology as convergent evolution. I call these designs 'good tricks.'

The quote “Wherever there is a design that is highly successful in a broad range of similar environments, it is apt to emerge again and again, independently – the phenomenon known in biology as convergent evolution. I call these designs 'good tricks.'” comes from Daniel Dennett, the American philosopher, cognitive scientist, and writer best known for his work on evolution, consciousness, and the philosophy of mind. In this reflection, Dennett draws from evolutionary biology to explain how certain effective solutions—whether in nature or in human systems—tend to reappear independently because they are inherently efficient and well-suited to their environments.

The meaning of the quote lies in the concept of convergent evolution, where unrelated species evolve similar traits or adaptations because they face similar challenges. Examples include the wings of birds and bats or the camera-like eyes of octopuses and humans. Dennett extends this biological principle into the broader realm of design, suggesting that when something works well—whether in nature, technology, or ideas—it is bound to show up repeatedly because it is a “good trick” of survival, efficiency, or problem-solving.

The origin of this idea appears in Dennett’s influential works on Darwinian thought, particularly Darwin’s Dangerous Idea (1995). In this book, he uses the phrase “good tricks” to describe evolutionary strategies that are so advantageous they are discovered multiple times by natural selection. For Dennett, this concept also applies metaphorically to culture, engineering, and design: successful strategies—whether in biological evolution or human creativity—are not one-offs but patterns that recur because they solve fundamental problems effectively.

Ultimately, Dennett’s words highlight the universality of adaptive design. By framing successful traits or inventions as good tricks, he captures both their simplicity and their inevitability. His insight reminds us that in both nature and human innovation, the best solutions tend to resurface again and again, not by coincidence, but because they are fundamentally fit for their environments. This perspective bridges biology and philosophy, showing how the principles of evolution extend into our understanding of design and creativity.