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BIONICS.A RECOGNITION OF NATURE'S SUPERIORITY
No doubt,the wonderful achievements of science(numerous and astonishing)and the landmark made by man in technological frontiers are breathtaking.When we look at cars,aeroplanes,computers and heavy machineries we observe a finesse in the demonstration of the ability and talent of man.In other fields like art and culture,manking has done spectacular things as well.
Here we are going to concentrate on a few products of our technology and sciences as well as make observations of where such relate to purely natural things and phenomenon.
To begin,we will make a list of some areas of science and technology in which Man has made great marks,then indulge our curiosities in observing the true origin of these things and perhaps ascertain to whom the credit for their inventions should be given.We will begin with the following areas;AGRICULTURE;AEROPLANES;JET PROPULSION;ELECTRICITY;INCUBATION;DESALINATION;COMPUTERS;LIGHTING;ANTIFREEZING AND FREEZING;COMPASSES;CLOCKS;PAPER;UNDERWATER BREATHING;SUBMARINES;SONAR;THERMOMETERS;ROTARY ENGINES...
1]FARMING AND LIVESTOCK KEEPING.Agriculture has evolved into different forms and practices over the years and has come out in myriad variations.The same is true with livestock keeping and production.It is therefore difficult to determine when and who invented farming.We know the tale of Adam and Eve and how they tilled the soil and tended livestock after being sent out of Eden.We have heard of the hanging gardens of Babylon and the vineyards of Judea.We also know about the vast barley fields of Egypt.But those are histories of man's ventures into agriculture.
Curiously though,long before man began to involve in these agricultural activities,the ant--yes the ant--,and especially the leaf-cutting ants were already good gardners.
The ants were already growing edible fungi for themselves for food.They grew fungi in a compost they made from leaves and their droppings.
There are also other species of ants that keep aphids as livestocks.They milk sugary honeydew from the aphids and even build barns to shelter them!
There are also harvester ants that store seeds and granules in their underground granaries.
Insects like Pikas are also early farmers who are known to cut,cure and store hay.
Marmots also has the same ability and ingenuity at cutting and storing hay.
Beetles can,in their own ingenuity,prune mimosa trees.
So as we can see,farming is not a venture originating with nor peculiar to Man.It is interesting to note that there are much more and no less fascinating natural phenomenon and mechanisms which mankind has gotten used to identifying with and most times,copying.This has become so profound that in modern times it has been alloted the name Bionics in the anals of science.We will consider more of these in the next issue of this series.
Thank you for being my guest.