This text presents a challenging look at evolution on several scales, from the earth and its geology and chemistry, to living organisms, to social and economic systems, the manufacturing process, and the labour structure. Applying the principles of thermodynamics and the concepts of information gathering and self-organization, the author characterizes the direction of evolution in each case as an accumulation of distinguishability information - a type of universal knowledge. The book concludes with some speculations on the development of socio-economic systems and technological progress. Readers in many branches of science and economics, especially thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, cybernetics, information theory, resource use, and evolutionary economic behaviour and organization should find this book interesting.