Biomimcry- the future of our history

Biomimetics or biomimicry is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems says Wikipedia. 

Take a leisurely walk through a forest at dawn and observe science in action. Notice the similes and metaphors that make this universe so magical. Everything that happens around us is an idea that we can adapt and use to better our lives. Or to create a product or service that will sell and improve the quality of the lives of others. It’s all there. But we do not see as much as we should. If we did, we would be a lot richer. And I am not talking about money. That would be the inevitable fallout.

We keep returning to similes and metaphors. We must revisit our multiplication tables in a sing song voice to jog our thinking. If 2x2 = 4, then 8x8 should = 16. If water has currents and air has currents, then we should be able to sail on air. This is the kind of thinking that drove mankind to new inventions, changing the way we did things from the way we did it in the past. It is that moment of epiphany when or minds connect and we see a living simile and say “hey, I have an idea”. We normally call these people geniuses. 

Mimicry in biology. It’s how the universe solves problems and gives all creatures a fair chance to survive. We mimic a dragon fly’s flight technique and take then credit for the “inspiration”. We notice the biology of the human body and we create carburettors, goose neck lamps, camera lenses, semi-permeable membranes that filter’s bad stuff out, photochromic lenses, to name a few. Many tissues in our human body are semipermeable membranes. This has inspired a slew of commercial product concepts that save and improve our lives. 

Janine Benyus is a crusader in this field. Listen to her on TED talks and you will “see” how much we miss because we see only with our eyes. “When solving a design problem, look to nature first. There you'll find inspired designs for making things waterproof, aerodynamic, solar-powered and more” is her advice as a world renowned science writer, innovation consultant, and conservationist. 

Nature hides nothing from us.  But we need to develop the gift of sight, if we are to benefit from the billions of years of collective intelligence this planet practices in a constantly evolving dance of genius. Finally, an evolved and intelligent planet knows how to look after itself. So if we were to abuse its munificence, it will snuff us out in our sleep. 

Cedric Serpes is Associate Professor at the Goa Institute of Management. His constant   observation of birds in Sanquelim is making wildlife nervous and very fidgety.