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Biomimicry, In Context

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We Are Finally Asking The Source Of Design

Did you know that the idea for velcro comes from nature? Or that termites can teach us about air ventilation?

This video offers a short history lesson of how technology has developed in relationship to the natural world. We have been strongly influenced by nature, and certainly we have tried to control it, we have abused it, and we have wanted it to be the obedient backdrop, endlessly supplying us all of our needs.

At long last, we're changing course and changing consciousness, and we may finally be ready and willing to let nature teach us about technology and design.

Biomimicry is a new discipline that studies nature's best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems. Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an example. It's "innovation inspired by nature."

The core idea is that nature, imaginative by necessity, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with. Animals, plants, and microbes are the consummate engineers. They have found what works, what is appropriate, and most important, what lasts here on Earth. This is the real news of biomimicry: After 3.8 billion years of research and development, failures are fossils, and what surrounds us is the secret to survival.

"Nature can be used as a model, a standard of measure, or as a mentor. But it's laws, strategies and principles remain constant." the narrator says.

--Bibi Farber