Respect Diversity Summary and Analysis

The chapter begins with an imagining of the beginnings of life on earth. The result is an abundant diversity. Modern design, architecture and landscape flatten this concept into "one size fits all," using the same structures and plants throughout the country. The authors call this devolution. They wish to encourage diversity. They suggest that things that are most fit for their situation will survive. Thinking about ants, there are thousands of different species, each suited to its environment. The relationships between organisms keep them thriving because living things are interdependent. The oxygen cycle is one good example and the water cycle is another. Ants make the soil fit for growing things. Trees cool and replenish the planet. Industry can model itself on nature in this way, working with the conditions of place and respecting diversity in materials and applications...