Nature IS Technology
– a Living Future Awaits
What if technology could grow, adapt, and heal like a living organism? Using slime molds as a bridge between the organic and the digital, I dive into the world of biocomputers—systems that evolve and regenerate as nature intended. These short videos show how living organisms can power devices, interact with us in real time, and guide the future of sustainable, adaptive technology. It’s a glimpse into a world where biology and innovation are no longer separate. Here, nature isn’t just the inspiration for technology—it is technology.
Merging Biology with Technology
In the quiet stillness of a lab, a new form of technology is emerging—one that grows, adapts, and evolves just like the living organisms it mimics. This is no ordinary machine; it is a biocomputer, powered not by cold circuits, but by life itself. Nature, as always, finds a way.
Organic Data Flows
Like the roots of a tree, searching for water deep within the soil, these slime mold tendrils spread out, carrying information. This data, however, does not follow rigid paths. It flows organically, constantly seeking the most efficient route, much like nature itself in its endless pursuit of harmony.
"The slime mold algorithm represents an exciting step towards a future where biological intelligence and computation merge, allowing us to model networks and solve complex problems in ways that traditional algorithms cannot."
— Dr. Atsushi Tero, Research Scientist, Hokkaido University
Designing with Life – Aesthetic and Interface Design
Like the roots of a tree, searching for water deep within the soil, these slime mold tendrils spread out, carrying information. This data, however, does not follow rigid paths. It flows organically, constantly seeking the most efficient route, much like nature itself in its endless pursuit of harmony.
Living Computing Infrastructure
Just as a plant might repair itself after damage, so too does this living technology. Slime molds—simple yet remarkably intelligent organisms—mend broken circuits, reconnect pathways, and optimize their surroundings. This is computing, not as a static tool, but as a living infrastructure, continuously adapting and improving over time.
Bioelectric Power – Energy from Life
In nature, life finds energy in the most unexpected places. These slime molds, once thought to be primitive, produce bioelectricity. This energy, harvested from the very growth of the organism, powers the devices of the future. A quiet revolution, driven by life itself.
"Slime molds offer a glimpse into a world where computing is no longer confined to silicon chips but emerges organically from living systems, blurring the line between nature and technology."
— Andrew Adamatzky, Professor of Unconventional Computing, University of the West of England
Organic User Interaction
Interaction with this living technology is unlike anything before it. With the wave of a hand, an artist can guide the growth of the slime mold, influencing its path. This interaction is not simply about control—it is a partnership, a symbiotic relationship between human and organism, where each gesture shapes the future of the technology.
"Slime mold is like the ultimate organic algorithm, weaving patterns that seem chaotic but reveal a hidden harmony. It’s a reminder that the future of art and technology could lie in something as ancient as nature itself."
— Brian Eno, Musician and Visual Artist
Real-World Applications
In the wild, nothing is wasted. Everything returns to the cycle of life. Now, our technology follows that same principle. From medical devices that adapt to the body’s needs, to biodegradable computers that decompose back into the earth, these living systems are designed not only to function but to regenerate and renew, just as nature intended.
Nature IS Technology
Nature’s intelligence has been billions of years in the making. And now, we are beginning to understand that it holds the key to the future of technology. In this world, where biology and innovation are intertwined, the boundaries between the organic and the mechanical have dissolved. Technology is no longer separate from life. It is life.
Slime Mold Algorythm
This code implements a slime mold simulation in Processing, a flexible and open-source sketchbook designed for creative coding. The sketch simulates the pathfinding behavior of slime molds using thousands of individual agents that leave behind pheromone trails as they navigate a grid. These agents deposit and follow pheromones, mimicking the way slime molds move towards food sources in nature. The evaporation and diffusion of the pheromones allow for dynamic trail formation, creating organic, evolving patterns on the canvas.
Processing’s sketchbook format is particularly suited for visualizing algorithms like this because it allows for rapid experimentation and immediate visual feedback. The simulation uses a color scheme based on green-to-yellow hues to represent varying pheromone intensities, making it easier to observe the agents' interactions with their environment. ControlP5 sliders provide an interactive way to tweak key parameters such as evaporation and diffusion rates, giving users control over the simulation’s organic growth patterns in real-time.