I was recently reading an article on ‘software gardening‘ it was interesting and put me in the mindset of “Biomimicry or biomimetics is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems”

It is interesting to draw parallels between natural systems and technological systems. Security Biodiversity http://daveshackleford.com/?p=495 is interesting and points to the dangers of too much homogenization in our systems.

I was pondering what Biomimicry  techniques could be applied to technology stacks, and as an offshoot what businesses and business methods could be taken from nature.

This article talks about http://www.wfu.edu/wowf/2009/20090921.ants.html

Unlike traditional security devices, which are static, these “digital ants” wander through computer networks looking for threats, such as “computer worms” — self-replicating programs designed to steal information or facilitate unauthorized use of machines. When a digital ant detects a threat, it doesn’t take long for an army of ants to converge at that location, drawing the attention of human operators who step in to investigate.

The concept, called “swarm intelligence,” promises to transform cyber security because it adapts readily to changing threats.

This other article talks about this random wandering as well in how a business organization should run. http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/09/why-organizations-should-embra/

What would happen if we stopped resisting, and instead took the terrifying step of embracing randomness? Organizations would start to learn, just as individuals do when they are surprised. Scientists have explained it to me like this: When something unexpected happens, the human brain reacts by focusing attention and increasing stress. A driver swerves in front of you, and for a few seconds when you’re consumed by avoiding that car, all other thoughts disappear from your consciousness. The more unexpected the event, the better you will remember, and the more you will learn from, it.

Surprise is information. So an organization that puts all its effort into planning, tracking, monitoring and documenting to minimize surprise and the chance of failure prevents itself from acquiring and spreading information, and consequently from learning. Innovation slows, and the company either atrophies or gets superseded by more agile organizations.

Some entrepreneurial companies, such as Valve, the entertainment software and technology maker, and Netflix, the video-streaming service, have obviously learned to relax controls to increase randomness and make the most of their flexible, creative individual contributors. The rest should aspire to act more like those ant colonies.

hmm combine this list of 8 super adaptable life forms

http://io9.com/5939568/the-eight-super+adaptable-life-forms-that-rule-our-planet

with this list of  1,600 strategies using the biomimicry taxonomy and there is probably something to learn.

Hmm it looks like we are becoming ants…. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25714443  microtasking… new concept