References

It is the ambition of the author to analyse biological systems and industrial systems in parallel. It is vital to perform industrial development in harmony with biological and ecological conditions. It is vital to avoid unintentional damage to biological systems. And, the term "unintentional" must be interperted in a long-range perspective. Many species become extinct every day because of human over-exploitation. Within 50 years, orangutangs and gorillas may remain only in zoos as a pathetic relict from a richer world. Whose intention is that? Where our understanding is still limited, and our political systems are even more limited, we must be careful not to "do very very stupid things" for short-term benefit like economic growth at any price.

In order to understand the humble role of Mankind in the biosphere, it is necessary to analyse the complexity of biological structures and processes in general. We will then see that we share our basic structures and processes with other animals, and to a great extent with plants and even with single-cell organisms. Mankind is one species among others. We are not superior to other species, simply because Nature does not offer a single Index of Superiority.

We are not superior, but Mankind is a unique species, like all other species are unique. As far as we can understand, no other animal is able to deal with abstractions, even with nested abstractions, to the extent that we do. This ability includes planning along multiple time scales and dealing with probability. No other animal does conscious planning beyond a one-year cycle. As far as we can understand, we are the only species dealing with responsibility as a concept. This gives us a particular responsibility to avoid negative side-effects of our own planning and activities. We have a responsibility towards coming generations of people and towards the whole biosphere.

The size and complexity of the human brain seems exceptional. On the other hand, the respiratory system of a first rank athlete is inferior to that of a dove, when it comes to design for efficiency. Not to mention the dove's ability to navigate without tools. We cannot even imagine what acoustical image a dolphin experiences, when using its sonar system.

Our large-scale social systems are highly unstable, changing at a dangerous pace within 100 years, while the social systems of termites, gnus and apes have been stable over millions of years.

The following table was inspired by Lecture notes on Morphomatics from Chalmers University of Technology (author Torbjörn Lundh, date 2001-09-26). In specific, this 7-layer model indirectly refers to the monograph by Lewis I. Held Jr. Models for Embryonic Periodicity. However, for the sake of illustration, the terminology is here chosen to match a following layered model of an advanced Industrial Information System.

Level 6	Sociodynamics, super-organisms and ecology · A beehive in action, a termites' mound, a shoal of fish, a herd of wild cattle · Family structures of apes and monkeys · The cultural heritage of Mankind. Modern societies of Man. · Global and local ecosystems
Level 5	Life-cycle, functions and behaviour of an autonomous individual · Phase control - embryonic development, childhood, mating etc. · Metamorphosis of insects · Phenotype extensions like the spider's web and the beaver's dam · The mind of higher animals. The human brain. · Language of mankind
Level 4	Structures formed by multiple cells - organs and complete individual · Clusters, networks, signalling channels between organs (incl. broadcast) · Chemical [and electrical] messaging protocols (hormones and nerves) · Meiosis (creation of gametes - egg cells and sperms) · Reflexes on exceptions and emergencies
Level 3	Life-cycle, functions and behaviour of a single cell: · Mitosis, motion, adhesion, repulsion, shape-change, state-change · Chemical interface, electrical interface · Suicide of single cell
Level 2	Cell architecture - static "drawing" of the cell as a device · Membrane and mechanical structure · Embedded organelles · Nucleus
Level 1	Protein language - written in a 20-letter alphabet of amino acids
Level 0	DNA - robust digital storage and copying

The following model is presented to illustrate how the complexity of the human brain, and the complexity of the industrial society created by that brain, to some degree matches the complexity of biological systems. Only within the last 100 years has it become apparent that a robust digital base is necessary for ordered comlexity (as opposed to chaotic complexity). Around 1860, Charles Darwin was not aware of DNA and the digital nature of genes. Only when Gregor Mendel's work was rediscovered around 1905 did the digital nature of genetics become more obvious. DNA was described around 1950.

As may be expected, the first industrial products to become digitally defined were digital computers and computer programs, almost concurrently with the discovery of DNA. Numerical definition of mechanical products is now the rule in industry. Numerically defined geometry was introduced indirectly through Numerical Control (NC) of machine tools around 1960. Advanced shape description of mechanical products was established between 1970 and 1995. The emerging science Morphomatics (mathematics of shape) may bridge between biological Morphogenesis and "organic" industrial design. To this author it is very satisfactory that technical universities and engineering magazines more and more deal with biology and biological aspects of conventional industry.

The industrial product chosen here for illustration is not essentally mechanical, but rather an advanced computer system. This example was selected because the top level of its complexity stack interfaces with the top level of the above biological stack through our modern society. Let us hope that Industrial Information Systems will help Mankind to make the right decisions in relation to Life on a wholisitic scale, to take humble responsibility for the Biosphere.

Level 6	World scale integration · System-to-system communication, business-to-business communication · World Wide Web · Global banking systems
Level 5	Long-range development of Information Systems within one organization · Strategies and tactics for upgrade and replacement of subsystems · Four-phase development: Conception, Specification, Coding, Test · Adaptations to legislation and standards
Level 4	Structures formed by multiple computers - domains and corporate networks · Clusters, networks, communication channels · Messaging protocols (TCP/IP) · Assignment of responsibility for operation · Rules for handling of exceptions and emergencies
Level 3	Operation-cycle, functions and behaviour of a single computer · Bootstrap load · Start-up of operating system · Management of multiple processes and response to events · Controlled shut-down
Level 2	Computer architecture - the motherboard, signal buses, peripherals
Level 1	Instruction repertoire of a computer
Level 0	Semiconductor and disk technology - robust digital storage and copying