Science is responsible for most of the miracles that define modern life. This leads to the disconcerting situation where need and belief are in conflict. There is an enormous literature about science and evolution in particular, but all previous authors have missed the point that evolution gives us basic tenets that are not situation- or culture-dependent. This book shows that the potential for evolution is based on the tenets of diversity and freedom, which also underlie most of the ethical and moral values that people cherish, whatever their beliefs. Those values can apply to everything that has evolved or will evolve, whether they are humans, other organisms, machines or memes. There is potential for all people who believe in the power of evolution, whether they link that to other spiritual beliefs or not, to unite in a congregation of evolutionists. This will not only help reduce present-day conflicts; it will also be important in the future when we have to face other challenges, such as machine self-awareness. Evolution has made humans not only self-aware, but aware of the universe. As they are a part of the universe, that means that the universe is self-aware in the same sense as any other entity is self-aware, and this gives enormous potential to change the future that mainline physicists tell us will be dark and dead.

The book begins with familiar designs found all around and inside us (such as the ‘trees’ of river basins, human lungs, blood and city traffic). It then shows how all flow systems are driven by power from natural engines everywhere, and how they are endlessly shaped because of freedom. Finally, Professor Bejan explains how people, like everything else that moves on earth, are driven by power derived from our “engines” that consume fuel and food, and that our movement dissipates the power completely and changes constantly for greater access, economies of scale, efficiency, innovation and life. Written for wide audiences of all ages, including readers interested in science, patterns in nature, similarity and non-uniformity, history and the future, and those just interested in having fun with ideas, the book shows how many “design change” concepts acquire a solid scientific footing and how they exist with the evolution of nature, society, technology and science.

In this groundbreaking book, Adrian Bejan takes the recurring patterns in nature—trees, tributaries, air passages, neural networks, and lightning bolts—and reveals how a single principle of physics, the constructal law, accounts for the evolution of these and many other designs in our world. Everything—from biological life to inanimate systems—generates shape and structure and evolves in a sequence of ever-improving designs in order to facilitate flow. River basins, cardiovascular systems, and bolts of lightning are very efficient flow systems to move a current—of water, blood, or electricity. Likewise, the more complex architecture of animals evolve to cover greater distance per unit of useful energy, or increase their flow across the land. Such designs also appear in human organizations, like the hierarchical “flowcharts” or reporting structures in corporations and political bodies. All are governed by the same principle, known as the constructal law, and configure and reconfigure themselves over time to flow more efficiently. Written in an easy style that achieves clarity without sacrificing complexity, Design in Nature is a paradigm-shifting book that will fundamentally transform our understanding of the world around us.

An empowering new view of the nature of physics and the constant evolution of our physical and social world

Peter Wood traces the birth and evolution of diversity, illuminating how it came to sprawl across politics, law, education, business, entertainment, personal aspiration, religion and the arts as an encompassing claim about human identity.

Science is responsible for most of the miracles that define modern life. This leads to the disconcerting situation where need and belief are in conflict. There is an enormous literature about science and evolution in particular, but all previous authors have missed the point that evolution gives us basic tenets that are not situation- or culture-dependent. This book shows that the potential for evolution is based on the tenets of diversity and freedom, which also underlie most of the ethical and moral values that people cherish, whatever their beliefs. Those values can apply to everything that has evolved or will evolve, whether they are humans, other organisms, machines or memes. There is potential for all people who believe in the power of evolution, whether they link that to other spiritual beliefs or not, to unite in a congregation of evolutionists. This will not only help reduce present-day conflicts; it will also be important in the future when we have to face other challenges, such as machine self-awareness. Evolution has made humans not only self-aware, but aware of the universe. As they are a part of the universe, that means that the universe is self-aware in the same sense as any other entity is self-aware, and this gives enormous potential to change the future that mainline physicists tell us will be dark and dead.

Metaphysical philosophies can expand awareness and evolve perception, but sometimes these avenues to greater consciousness actually limit awareness, as people are tempted to mistake the map for the territory. Aimed at those who wish to get the most out of their personal path, this text builds upon the teachings of Toltec seer don Juan Matus to demonstrate how metaphysical systems affect perception.