What counts as novelty?

Todd Oakley (an expert in the genetic basis of novel features in evolution) sparked an interesting Twitter and Amazon book review discussion on how to define novelty.

Please read his blog post linked here Links to an external site.and choose one of the following to respond to:

1) How would you define novelty?

2) Is there a fundamental difference between microevolution and macroevolution?

3) Do you agree with McShea and Brandon's rule of macroevolution (that complexity and diversity increase unless opposed)? Why or why not?

4) What does Dr. Oakley mean when he says that novelty happens at the macroevolutionary scale but not at the microevolutionary scale?

After responding, please make at least 3-5 substantive comments on what your peers are saying.  Just saying "I agree" or "I disagree" is not enough, you need to say WHY and bring up alternative viewpoints and new facts/observations.