Life’s Principles in Biomimicry 4: Integrating Development with Growth
Growth in nature might refer to increases in size, complexity, and age. Development in this context refers to enhancements and positive components that support growth. This Biomimicry’s Life’s Principle is very interesting: instead of fighting change, development or threats, we can learn newer ways of dealing with them so that the life of the whole community improves. We can combine development with growth in integrated ways. Three of the strategies within this principle are to:
1. Self Organize. This is a process where individuals organize their own behavior together to support their group or community. No outside influence, intervention or instruction is needed and there is no clear, single leader: everyone leads.
In nature we see the murmuration of birds, where as a group they present a formidable challenge to their predator. A school of fish behave similarly, as do animals in herds.
Humans organize themselves in a group to choreograph a dance program, or agree to use their bodies for art. They collaboratively create something beautiful in which all lead in their roles. Volunteering is also a good example, where individuals donate their time and skill in a group to benefit the whole community. Each person decides what they can contribute to the group in terms of action or services for the development of a group.
2. Build from bottom up. We know that in nature, single atoms combine to form molecules and then to compounds and so on, resulting in complex structures like organs or organisms.
In our bodies, we start from cells to organs and tissues, then a complete human being. When we build a house we start from the bottom up – foundation, then walls, and then the rest. Another great example is language such as English. We begin with 26 alphabets, then put them together in many ways to form words, then sentences and then paragraps all the way to books.
Similarly in a personal capacity, we collect ingredients, utensils, sources of heat/energy, etc. before cooking a meal. Building from the bottom up has advantages – we can find and resolve errors before we’ve gone too far, and we can get creative about the basics to come to different results.
3. Combine modular and nested components. This means growing in ways that are repeatable and fit together. Lizards can regrow their tail if broken – it’s a repeatable mechanism – isn’t that neat?
People who work with computers know that there are many repeatable programs, applications and templates. These can be combined to generate web-pages, websites and many other platforms.
Another example is the Babushka – Russian nesting dolls, which are identical but differ in sizes so they fit together. Modular homes are built from pre-fabricated parts that fit together. Humans have built expandable tables, tables with fitted stools, and folding shelves that save space but can expand when more space is needed. This modular chair is inspired by the lightweight structure of the nautilus, which has a nested and modular growth mechanism. They all fit together and can be replicated.
These strategies help us integrate development with growth and maintain harmony amongst all living beings. Share with us your experience of integrating development with growth in your life and work.
