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Nature to Tech-feature
History tells us that discovery often lies rooted in ancient culture and nature. Many technological innovations are inspired by natural phenomena that serve as the original source of ideas. Some of the world’s best inventions have emerged from biomimicry, the practice of learning from nature’s designs.
Engineers developed nanorobots that mimic the helical movement of bacterial flagella, enabling them to navigate complex human blood vessels for targeted drug delivery. Velcro was invented after observing how burrs clung to a dog’s fur, revealing tiny hooks that could grip fabric loops. Airplane wings and gliders were designed after studying the wings of birds. Wind turbines were inspired by the structure of humpback whale fins. The design of the Japanese bullet train was modified after observing the kingfisher’s long beak, allowing it to move from tunnels with minimal noise. Even the portable toilet iThrone mimics how plants draw moisture from soil and release it through leaves, evaporating most human waste without energy. Antivirus software draws inspiration from the human body’s defense mechanisms, detecting and neutralizing digital threats. Organic electrochemical transistors are used to trap ions, mimicking the long-term plasticity of biological synapses in human brain.
Even social media algorithms reflect patterns similar to human mental processing.
But what exactly is an algorithm?
An algorithm is a finite and ordered set of well defined instructions used to solve a specific problem or perform a calculation. It acts like a recipe that takes input, processes it, and produces an output. Algorithms form the backbone of computer programming and logical decision making.
Interestingly, human thinking itself follows a natural sequence similar to UPDCA:
1. Understanding or observing the situation
2. Planning a course of action
3. Doing or implementing the plan
4. Checking and evaluating the results
5. Analysing and interpreting feedback to see whether the purpose is served and to what extent.
The human mind processes situations in a structured, algorithmic manner. Artificial intelligence programming is inspired by this very intelligence. Yet AI represents only a fraction of human capability. Human intelligence carries dimensions gifted by nature such as intelligence quotient, emotional quotient, spiritual quotient, social quotient, and adversity quotient.
Although artificial intelligence has a long journey ahead, it has undeniably simplified many professional tasks. However, the original source of structured thinking, creativity, and wisdom remains the human mind, deeply connected to nature.
In the end, perhaps every invention is not merely a creation but a rediscovery. Nature has always been the silent teacher. Technology only translates what nature has already perfected. And the human mind remains the most sophisticated algorithm ever designed.
