99% (Biological) Inspiration… [chapter]

Mike Hinchey, Roy Sterritt
2012 Conquering Complexity  
Greater understanding of biology in modern times has enabled significant breakthroughs in improving healthcare, quality of life, and eliminating many diseases and congenital illnesses. Simultaneously there is a move towards emulating nature and copying many of the wonders uncovered in biology, resulting in "biologically inspired" systems. Significant results have been reported in a wide range of areas, with systems inspired by nature enabling exploration, communication, and advances that were
more » ... ver dreamed possible just a few years ago. We warn, that as in many other fields of endeavor, we should be inspired by nature and biology, not engage in mimicry. We describe some results of biological inspiration that augur promise in terms of improving the safety and security of systems, and in developing self-managing systems, that we hope will ultimately lead to selfgoverning systems. * The earliest recorded quotation is from a press conference, quoted by James D. Newton in Uncommon Friends (1929): "None of my inventions came by accident. I see a worthwhile need to be met and I make trial after trial until it comes. What it boils down to is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration."
doi:10.1007/978-1-4471-2297-5_8 fatcat:c273rw7hozdrbjgzghpgdf7y7y