Nature Remade: Engineering Life, Envisioning Worlds

Engineering has deeply influenced biology, with proposals to remake the living world going in many directions. Nature Remade explores these complex prospects from a historical approach, tracing cases across the decades of the long twentieth century. It affirms the centrality of engineering in understanding and imagining modern life, organized around three themes: control and reproduction, knowing as making, and envisioning.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 320 pages
\n Publication date: 16 July 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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Engineering has deeply ingrained itself within the intricate web of biology, even as proposals to reshape the living world have branched out in countless directions, spanning every scale imaginable. Nature Remade delves into these intricate possibilities through a resolutely historical lens, examining cases spanning the vast expanse of the long twentieth century. These essays encompass a wide range of engineering endeavors, from the cloning of agricultural crops and the artificial nourishment of silkworms to biomimicry, genetic engineering, and terraforming. Nature Remade firmly establishes the centrality of engineering in its diverse manifestations for comprehending and envisioning modern life.

The book is structured around three overarching themes: control and reproduction, knowing as making, and envisioning. Within these themes, the chapters explore diverse methods, scales, and ramifications of intervening and reimagining nature.

One of the key themes explored in Nature Remade is the concept of control and reproduction. The authors examine how engineering has enabled humans to exert unprecedented control over the natural world, from manipulating genetic codes to creating artificial life forms. They also explore the ethical and societal implications of such control, including questions about the potential for unintended consequences and the loss of biodiversity.

Another theme is the idea of knowing as making. The authors argue that engineering has fundamentally transformed the way we understand and interact with nature. They highlight the role of technology in enabling us to observe, measure, and manipulate the natural world in ways that were previously unimaginable. They also explore the ethical and philosophical implications of this shift, including questions about the nature of knowledge, the role of humans in the natural world, and the responsibilities we have towards it.

The final theme is envisioning, which involves imagining and creating new possibilities for nature and human life. The authors explore how engineering has enabled us to envision and realize novel ecosystems, technologies, and social structures that are more sustainable and resilient. They also discuss the challenges and limitations of such envisioning, including the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and the potential for unintended consequences.

Throughout Nature Remade, the authors draw on a wide range of examples and case studies to illustrate their arguments and provide a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between engineering and nature. These examples range from the development of artificial intelligence to the creation of new renewable energy sources, and from the engineering of crops to the reimagining of urban spaces.

In conclusion, Nature Remade offers a thought-provoking and comprehensive exploration of the complex prospects and possibilities of engineering and nature. By tracing the historical trajectory of engineering endeavors and examining their diverse manifestations, the book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the role of technology in shaping our world. Whether you are a scientist, engineer, philosopher, or simply interested in the intersection of technology and nature, Nature Remade is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the future of our planet.

\n Weight: 440g\n
Dimension: 150 x 228 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226783437\n \n