Why the most advanced modern technology is actually just a copy of the prehistoric past.
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Stealing Ideas from Mother Nature
Human beings often boast about being the most ingenious species on Earth. We build skyscrapers that pierce the clouds and devices that connect us across oceans. However, in the grand timeline of history, our research and development phase is merely a drop in the ocean compared to nature’s 3.8 billion years of trial and error. Today, an increasing number of scientists and engineers are realizing that the answers to our most complex problems may not lie in a computer chip, but in the natural world outside our windows. This discipline is called biomimicry.
Biomimicry is not simply about capturing the aesthetic beauty of nature; it is about analyzing its function. It asks a simple question: "How would nature solve this?" For instance, consider the Japanese Shinkansen, or bullet train. In the 1990s, engineers encountered a significant stumbling block: the trains created a thunderous "sonic boom" when exiting tunnels due to air pressure buildup. The remedy did not come from advanced mathematics, but from birdwatching. The chief engineer, a bird enthusiast, observed how the Kingfisher dives into the water with barely a splash. He redesigned the train’s nose to emulate the bird’s beak. This new design killed two birds with one stone, resulting in a train that was not only quieter but also more energy-efficient.
Beyond engineering, nature is also helping to revolutionize healthcare. For years, hospitals have fought a war against bacteria, often employing harsh chemicals. Researchers, however, decided to look at sharks. Unlike whales, sharks stay remarkably free of algae and barnacles. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that shark skin is not smooth; it is covered in microscopic patterns called denticles that prevent bacteria from attaching. [] By replicating this texture on plastic surfaces, hospitals can now keep infections at bay without using a single drop of chemical cleanser.
This approach marks a sea change in mindset. For the last two centuries, the industrial age has been dominated by a "heat, beat, and treat" philosophy—forcing raw materials into submission using massive amounts of energy. Nature, by contrast, relies on sustainable geometry and passive energy. It builds robust structures like seashells using locally available minerals and ambient temperature.
However, translating biology into technology is no walk in the park. We cannot simply duplicate a bird’s wing and expect it to work on a Boeing 747. The challenge lies in comprehending the deep principles of aerodynamics and material science that make the wing work. It requires engineers to be humble enough to admit that sometimes, we do not need to reinvent the wheel, as the best ideas have already been invented.
As we face global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity, biomimicry offers a promising path forward. It suggests that if we wish to survive in the long run, we must stop treating nature as a warehouse of resources and start treating it as a library of knowledge.
Complete the summary using the list of words below. Write the correct letter, A-H, in each blank.
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A. repository B. arrangement C. renewable D. inventory |
E. repeating F. remedies G. wasteful H. imitating |
While humanity prides itself on its technological feats, the field of biomimicry suggests that biological evolution offers superior . Instead of relying purely on artificial intelligence, designers are looking at how natural systems function. A famous example is the redesign of high-speed trains, which successfully eliminated noise issues by the physical structure of a bird’s beak. Similarly, medical environments have benefited from studying aquatic life. By mimicking the unique of shark skin, scientists have developed ways to block harmful microbes without toxic substances. This indicates a move away from energy-heavy industrial processes toward more methods. Ultimately, this shift requires a new perspective: viewing the environment as a of wisdom rather than just a supply of raw materials.
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He offered to lend me $100, but that is just _____ compared to the $5,000 I need to pay off my tuition fees.
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The first part of the exam was a walk in the park, but the final section was much more challenging.
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She found that listening to music was the best way to keep her anxiety at bay during long flights.
A software team is spending weeks designing a basic login system, even though a reliable and widely used solution already exists and could be easily adapted.
Which expression best describes the team’s approach?
Find and correct one mistake in this sentence.
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