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Bioinspired: How Nature Made Us Modern, Drives Today's Technological Innovation, and Inspires a Future Worth Inventing
The human species is recognized for its intelligence and creativity, but where do these stand-out smarts come from? Our celebrated brains play a role, but it turns out something else altogether is going on. This fascinating natural history of modern humankind lays out a compelling case for how nature plays an outsized yet largely unsung role in human progress and innovation. From the wildly famous inventor who traveled with a dismembered ear in his suitcase, to why popular music makes us want to dance, Stier’s exploration of how various aspects of technology and culture came to be will astonish readers, one revelation after another. At once a paradigm-shaking analysis of humanity’s technological history, and a guide map to future human prosperity, Bioinspired will sweep you up and, ultimately, deposit you somewhere different, before an entirely new horizon.
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400 pages, Hardcover
Published August 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The book is the perfect example of “as the name suggests…”.
With its data-enriched nine chapters, the book can transform the way our awareness of nature shapes us today. I am quite afraid to offer too many spoilers because I am genuinely excited about the content. So, I am writing this review with caution.
In the case of non-fiction, I am not a lenient reader. I always calculate how much learning potential a book carries, and I am still rating this book five out of five. From the very first chapter, the unique data points feel overwhelming in the best possible way. Describing the carbon content in various things, including the “pen full of star-dust,” is poetic yet deeply metaphorical.
While explaining disconnection from nature and anthropic challenges, the author’s frustration becomes highly visible. Any nature lover can feel that emotional undertone. The book connects various researchers and well-known scientists so smoothly that the transitions never feel forced. For example, a phone’s exoskeleton leads to Bell’s (childhood) bee-catching game and his love for ventriloquism. The unique yet appropriate homage to Bell (after his death) felt emotional.
Every chapter has something valuable to add. I never knew structural colors could be explored through such interesting color theory and frequency-spectrum layers. Human fascination with movement (read animation) also made me wonder why we are often more drawn to animation than static images. Whales, zebrafish, and jellyfish all appear with their own unique feature-based inspirations.
However, I must mention witty moments like Shannon’s unicycle and Joseph Bell’s “master of deduction” theory, which make the reading even more engaging. Funny enough, Joseph Bell immediately reminded me of Holmes, and the very next line mentioned the same connection.
I also love how the author is equally attentive to different species and their inspirations. So, ant colony optimization algorithms and Reil’s Naturemotion receive equal importance.
The ability to learn — the key attribute of human intelligence — is perfectly highlighted. Still, we dismiss or ignore so much around us. The Dewey Decimal Classification system can do much more with the help of neural networks, while the understanding of hyperlink models can improve SEO hierarchy.
I particularly enjoyed topics like persistent hunting, therianthropy perspectives, the Nephila spider fishing web, and birds as migration motivators. Every bioinspired model made me pause and search the web to understand its working process and benefits. However, the last two chapters move beyond theory and recommend sustainability practices that individuals can apply in everyday life. I especially liked the connection between phages and the river Ganga, along with the discussion on the Venus glass basket.
Overall, this book is a great value adder. Everyone should read it to open their eyes to Mother Nature.
With its data-enriched nine chapters, the book can transform the way our awareness of nature shapes us today. I am quite afraid to offer too many spoilers because I am genuinely excited about the content. So, I am writing this review with caution.
In the case of non-fiction, I am not a lenient reader. I always calculate how much learning potential a book carries, and I am still rating this book five out of five. From the very first chapter, the unique data points feel overwhelming in the best possible way. Describing the carbon content in various things, including the “pen full of star-dust,” is poetic yet deeply metaphorical.
While explaining disconnection from nature and anthropic challenges, the author’s frustration becomes highly visible. Any nature lover can feel that emotional undertone. The book connects various researchers and well-known scientists so smoothly that the transitions never feel forced. For example, a phone’s exoskeleton leads to Bell’s (childhood) bee-catching game and his love for ventriloquism. The unique yet appropriate homage to Bell (after his death) felt emotional.
Every chapter has something valuable to add. I never knew structural colors could be explored through such interesting color theory and frequency-spectrum layers. Human fascination with movement (read animation) also made me wonder why we are often more drawn to animation than static images. Whales, zebrafish, and jellyfish all appear with their own unique feature-based inspirations.
However, I must mention witty moments like Shannon’s unicycle and Joseph Bell’s “master of deduction” theory, which make the reading even more engaging. Funny enough, Joseph Bell immediately reminded me of Holmes, and the very next line mentioned the same connection.
I also love how the author is equally attentive to different species and their inspirations. So, ant colony optimization algorithms and Reil’s Naturemotion receive equal importance.
The ability to learn — the key attribute of human intelligence — is perfectly highlighted. Still, we dismiss or ignore so much around us. The Dewey Decimal Classification system can do much more with the help of neural networks, while the understanding of hyperlink models can improve SEO hierarchy.
I particularly enjoyed topics like persistent hunting, therianthropy perspectives, the Nephila spider fishing web, and birds as migration motivators. Every bioinspired model made me pause and search the web to understand its working process and benefits. However, the last two chapters move beyond theory and recommend sustainability practices that individuals can apply in everyday life. I especially liked the connection between phages and the river Ganga, along with the discussion on the Venus glass basket.
Overall, this book is a great value adder. Everyone should read it to open their eyes to Mother Nature.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bioinspired is a very interesting book, especially for anyone wanting to learn how nature has inspired technological advances. It's packed with fascinating knowledge and information, with plenty of real-world examples that make you appreciate the ingenuity of the natural world.
That said, there were times when it felt more like a school textbook because of the level of detail. If you're expecting a book you can read loads of in one sitting, this isn't it. It's the kind of book that's best read a chapter or two at a time so you can take in and appreciate all the information.
That said, there were times when it felt more like a school textbook because of the level of detail. If you're expecting a book you can read loads of in one sitting, this isn't it. It's the kind of book that's best read a chapter or two at a time so you can take in and appreciate all the information.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews