Biomimicry in the Built World: Consulting Nature as Model, Measure, and Mentor

[Stickstacks12]

the talk starts at 16:00, just intro's up till then

[majik2hanz]

I enjoy the healthy curiousity, wonder and respect for nature, but some of the Qs raised need to be discussed in regard to what differentiates humans from the wild (values) and what aspects of nature should we mimic to be 'sustainable'? What specie seeks to extend life of non contributing members of its society? Nature is a harsh realist glossy eyed idealists cannot handle. Most discussion revolves around ways to monetize things found within nature. Is goal improving quality of life or profit$?

[nicholassykes]

ashevillecat is perhaps confused as this is not about domestication of the planet, playing god or guiding evolution. The nature Janine Benyus is consulting is wild and is natural and she is not trying to actually design nature but simply to learn and take inspiration from it. There is no other planet like ours and her presence on this one gives us a far greater chance of actually staying here, long term. Civilisation is not all sedentary and that those that are, will probably not be survivors.

[ashevillecat]

Hmmm...So you suggest that we should utterly domesticate the entire planet. Play god and nature, guiding evolution as if we invented it. The nature you consult is not wild, and thus it is not nature. If you want to design nature, then why not find another planet to do it on? Sedentary civilization is utterly incapable of living here in ways that are conducive to life short of limiting ourselves to a tiny fraction of its surface. The planet is not ours, we are its.