Imagine a world in which scientists, engineers, designers, artisans and organizational specialists could leverage a shared body of knowledge and processes derived from empirical research on natural systems. In such a future world, designers would not only have access to novel solutions and solution pathways to practical problems, but would also be encouraged to contribute solutions to the far-reaching social, economic and environmental challenges we face.
But how could we create such a world? What are the key barriers today? Who needs to be involved? What are the next steps? The attached article by the BID Community Think Tank explores the current landscape of design inspired by nature and proposes developing a common ground based on a preliminary set of characteristics. As the acknowledgements in the article indicate, it has already received broad support from a wide range of reviewers.
The next step is planning one or more workshops to build a consensus and turn the characteristics in a set of actions. The goal is to collectively learn more (verified information, validated methods, deeper insights) and do more (greater confidence to act, more opportunities to make a difference), increasing the vitality and credibility of our emerging field. If you want to be part of this journey, please contact us at
b3d [at] sinet [dot] ca
Norbert Hoeller, Ashok Goel, Catalina Freixas, Randall Anway, Antony Upward, Filippo Salustri, Janice McDougall and Kamelia Miteva
The attached file is a preprint of the article published in:
Zygote Quarterly, issue 7, pages 134-145
ISSN 1927-8314
http://issuu.com/eggermont/docs/zq_issue_07_final/134
Comments from Giles Hutchins
Giles Hutchins, author of The Nature of Business: Redesigning for resilience, sent the following comments:
I responded with:
to which Giles said:
B3D Webinar Series
2013/11/10 corrected date of first B3D webinar
Planning the face-to-face B3D workshops is going to take some time. To keep up momentum, build interest and start productive discussions about B3D, the Think Tank will be scheduling a series of webinars on relevant topics. The first challenge has been to identify a suitable webinar platform. There are numerous choices but most seem to emphasize displaying presentations with discussion limited to audio. Personally, I have difficulty listening to disembodied voices, especially if I cannot easily distinguish the speakers.
We have been evaluating the capabilities of Business Hangouts, an enhanced version of Google+ Hangouts on Air that facilitates virtual discussions and screen sharing (display or specific applications). Key features of interest include:
The one drawback of Business Hangouts (actually a Google+ Hangouts on Air restriction) is the inability to participate via a Plain Old Telephone. Business Hangouts allows viewers to join using their Facebook or LinkedIn identities but the underlying Google+ Hangouts does not allow them to become full participants.
We now have an official Google+ Page and a YouTube channel, including a video clip used to test out Google+ Hangouts on Air features. Our first official B3D webinar is tentatively planned for November 21st. Stay tuned for more details.
Discussion with Rolf Mueller
Rolf Mueller raised a number of points in his Zygote Quarterly interview that paralleled discussions over the B3D initiative, including the lack of a theoretical foundation and the importance of "scientific validity and depth, contribution to fundamental progress, and originality." Rolf is a good example of a trans-disciplinary approach - he is applying tools and methods from physics and engineering to better understand biomimetic systems. At the same time, he is closing the loop by applying the insights gained to develop better sensors and sensor systems. Rolf is exploring an area where engineering has starting to hit its limits - if he can solve how bats manage complex sonar information processing with tiny brains, it could transform how we design and build sonar/radar arrays.
Sustainability often gets raised in B3D discussions. Rolf suggested that "While positive societal impacts are an important final goal, they are hard to predict and should not be used to stifle creativity and the expansion of knowledge." One interpretation is that sustainability is an emergent property - it is hard to know what actions might contribute to future sustainability. This does not prevent us from looking for evidence that we are making a difference.
Notes from the Jan. 24 Workshop Planning Webinar
I posted pointers to the recording of the webinar and a summary of the discussion at http://bioinspired.sinet.ca/content/20140124-b3d-webinars-workshop-planning#comment-1313. We did not get around to two points:
In reverse order, a regional workshop at an academic institution should significantly reduce travel, accommodation and venue costs. We do not need to line up a bunch of speakers. In addition to a kickoff highlighting the work of the hosting institution, I hope we can tape the keynote speech once and play it many times. There will be some external (lunch and refreshments) and possibly internal (I/T) costs that will need to be determined and funded. Any ideas are greatly appreciated - one avenue might be corporate sponsors although I have no idea how one finds them.
Academic institutions will expect something in return for their investment in the workshop. It may be worthwhile targeting institutions that are trying to make a name for themselves in B3D. Aside from the publicity, the workshop may help institutions establish contacts with other institutions that could lead to collaborative ventures. If you are aware of suitable institutions, please let me know.
university advancement?
Off the top of my head, I can only think of talking to the "university advancement" departments at academic institutions. There may be intangible benefits to a university being involved to help arrange the workshops.
Will add other ideas if/when I come up with them.
"Does Bionics have any principles?"
2014/06/30 corrected link to ISBE newsletter article
Julian Vincent contributed Does Bionics have any principles? to the June 2014 issue of the International Society of Bionic Engineering (ISBE) newsletter. In it Julian suggested that the ISBE:
Julian is aware of the "Common Ground" initiative and provided input to the Unifying Principle webinars. One of the challenges is finding a focus area that is sufficiently interesting, simple and delivers a clear payback. In spite of the media coverage of B3D and public interest, my sense is that we still do not have a critical mass of people willing to commit resources to advancing the field. Julian's suggestion was to identify initiatives in established disciplines that may not have a direct B3D connection but where progress would also benefit B3D.
Dead link?
Norbert, the link to Julian's article in the ISBE newletter seems to go nowhere.
EDIT: Found it. It's in the same document as the Pechstein piece.