Questioning the theory and practice of biomimicry

Abstract

Gaining inspiration from nature has a new name: biomimicry. As a supposedly novel technical practice, biomimicry makes promises about solving the world's technological problems and environmental problems simultaneously. After posing questions about the features, assumptions and ambitions of biomimicry, it is concluded that biomimicry might be a productive way to render nature's secrets available for commercial and industrial purposes, but for it to move society towards eco-friendliness as it's supporters often claim, they will have to actively reconstruct the concept with the help from ecocentric ideas. © 2009 WIT Press.