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 Biomimicry : Innovation Inspired by Nature :: 0060533226
Description
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Biomimicry is a revolutionary new science that analyzes nature's best ideas -- spider silk and prairie grass, seashells and brain cells -- and adapts them for human use. Science writer and lecturer Janine Benyus takes us into the lab and out in the field with the maverick researchers who are applying nature's ingenious solutions to the problem of human survival: stirring vats of proteins to unleash their signaling power in computers; analyzing how spiders manufacture a waterproof fiber five times stronger than steel; studying how electrons in a leaf cell convert sunlight to fuel in trillionths of a second; discovering miracle drugs by observing what animals eat -- and much more. The products of biomimicry are things we can all use -- medicines, "smart" computers, super-strong materials, profitable and earth-friendly business. Biomimicry eloquently shows that the answers are all around us. Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
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Author: Guest
This book is a really good read for anyone interested in technological partial solutions for modern environmental issues. Many great examples of processes which have been innovated, and what could be done.
My only issue with this book is that you have to have a strong knowledge of many sciences to fully understand this piece. This may be a good thing if you are looking for something very specific; but it will be definately too much for the average person.
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Author: Guest
Benyus' degree is in natural resource management and all her previous work has been with wildlife. She isn't qualified to write about many of the topics in this book. At one point she attempts to describe things like the conversion of sunglight energy into ATP in plants and obviously she doesn't understand it so the reader understands even less. Additionally she admits to not understanding and not trusting gene transfection. How can you write about something that you don't understand and don't trust? I was halfway through the book when she started getting stuff wrong about molecular biology (my specialty). At that point I asked myself how much other stuff did she get wrong that I didn't catch? Finally, the author spent too long talking about the scientists and places she visited. How nice they were, what their labs look like, how much wheat is growing outside, and in general a lot of fluff that does little to excite someone about the science.
That aside I have to agree with another review who said this would have been a great book in the hands of a different author. There are a lot of great ideas in here but they're not hers; they're the scientists' and they should have collectively written the book instead.
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Author: Guest
This is a truely facinating book. It goes into a lot of detail about the particular areas of research which can get tedious. I would definately recommend it.
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Author: Guest
Let me begin by saying I have a BS in chemical engineering and an MSPH in environmental engineering, so I am not some sort of uneducated, naive, "new-age" dreamer, who has no concept of what is practical and what is not. Morover, I have now worked for over 16 years at various industrial facilities (chemical, textile, and other manufacturing) as a process engineer and an environmental consultant. I've seen what's out there in the industrial landscape.
With that said this is simply the BEST non-fiction book I have ever read. It is chock full of fascinating "earth-friendly" ideas that are simply crying out to be implemented. It is written in a very "personal" tone, which I believe amplifies the book's message. In fact, don't let this tone make you think the book's technical depth is lacking. On the contrary, this book delves into some very complex concepts, but does so in a manner that a non-technical person can follow.
For those areas where I have specific knowledge (such as elements within industry who actually WANT to comply with all environmental requirements and WANT be "GREEN"), the author is on target and displays an excellent grasp of what's going on. Thus, for those ideas and concepts in the book that were new to me, I have no reason to beleive that the same does not hold true.
As long as you are able to set asise the cynicism that seems to have risen to such high levels nowadays, this book will make you THINK about better ways of doing things. Just two simple examples include: (1) Designing a perennial "community" for agriculture mimicking the natural plant community that otherwise would be there, rather than planting a non-diverse, single species, requiring annual reseeding, fertilization, insecticides, herbicides, etc.; and (2) Developing industrial processes that mimic what nature has already evolved over millions of years (i.e. photosynthesis) rather than relying on the old-style of "heat, treat, and beat" to make the various products and materials that we now are so reliant upon.
This books speaks to the incredible and imperative need of the "human species" to transform beyond the ideas of the industrial revolution into an ecologically-appreciative mindset that treasures the planet we ALL live upon. If you want a book that is well-written and full of practical ideas and solutions for the future, I heartily recommend Biomimicry by Janine M. Benyus.
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Author: Guest
This title makes a good attempt to put forth some new ideals in sustainability for business and manufacturing. The author tends toward the idealistic without regard for a number of important counter-arguments. It is also quite esoterical and scientific to such a degree that I would recomend an undergraduate degree in chemistry before attempting to read it.
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