In "The Ascent of Information," Caleb Scharf embarks on a transformative journey through the realms of evolutionary biology, computer science, information theory, and astrobiology to present a groundbreaking argument: information is alive. With every tweet, email, and selfie, humanity contributes to a vast, intangible lifeform that thrives alongside us, influencing our actions and shaping our future. Scharf challenges our traditional understanding of data, revealing its voracious appetite for energy and its unparalleled influence on the human race. Through a lucid exploration of the 20 quintillion bits of data we generate daily, this book unveils the symbiotic relationship between man and information, proposing that our very existence is predicated on the data we produce. Scharf's narrative is a clarion call to reevaluate our role in an information-saturated universe. "The Ascent of Information" posits that understanding this complex relationship is not only essential for navigating the current data deluge but crucial for ensuring the survival of humanity itself. As we stand on the precipice of a future where data's demands may outweigh its benefits, Scharf provides a compelling vision of how we can harness the power of information to forge a path that ensures the prosperity of both our species and the data we spawn. This book is an enlightening manifesto for anyone invested in the future of humanity in the age of information.