Jim Rutt might describe the "Cambrian Explosion" as one of the most remarkable events in the history of life on Earth, occurring roughly 541 million years ago. In this relatively short geological period, spanning about 20 to 25 million years, life on Earth underwent rapid diversification, leading to the emergence of a wide array of complex, multicellular organisms. Before this period, most life forms were relatively simple and microscopic, but the Cambrian Explosion marked the advent of extensive cellular differentiation, sophisticated body plans, and the first appearance of many of the major groups of animals that exist today. This explosion of biodiversity is often attributed to a combination of genetic, environmental, and ecological factors, though scientists still debate the precise causes. For Rutt, this period exemplifies the unpredictable and transformative potential of evolutionary processes.

See also: abiogenesis, evolutionary computing, evolutionary psychology, origin of life, emergence