Emmet Brady (emmetbrady)

I came to the world of Biomimicry more as a return to the call of the wild than anything else. That was my favorite book as a kid, written by Jack London.  I was very taken by the idea of outdoors adventures in the great white north, except for one problem.  I hate cold weather. 

I studied biology in college with a focus on invertebrate zoology and ecology.  My name means “an ant” in Gaelic, and I am at heart an expert enthusiast for insects, especially honey bees.  I have a series lectures on a field of study called Cultural entomology, which explores the parallels between insects and humans. Ultimately the message is one of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity, as well as a call to the ancient intuitive parts of the human psyche to fully embrace our kindred creatures on this planet (which is all of 'em, even the little creepy crawly ones). 

For most of my professional career, I veered away from the natural world and turned towards studying “human ecology” across a myriad of disciplines: hospitality, healthcare, business, events and entertainment, and (in Berkeley) fitness, metaphysics/spirituality, and arts advocacy. 

My career has been mostly in strategic business development across a variety of industries, including roles in sales and marketing, recruiting, management, conference & event planning.  The largest company I worked for was the Ritz Carlton hotels before they were bought by Marriot. 

I have operated as strategic development coordinator for the International Yoga Therapy conference which bridges the gap between modern medicine, therapy and the ancient tradition of Yoga.

My most recent project is the strategic development of the East Bay Green Tours, located in Berkeley CA. The Tours are part educational seminar, part engaing field trip, focused on showcasing the range of pioneers, innovators, non-profits, manufacturers and community outreach organizations dedicated to advocating sustainablty in every possible way.  The mission of EBGT is to provide educational tours that demonstrate the sustainable economy in action, and to inspire support of local green businesses. We empower people to incorporate environmental responsibility and social justice into their personal and professional lives.

I am also a graduate of the BMG Biologist at the Design Table (BaDT) course in 2008 in Montana. 

Along the way, I very much wanted to learn my role as a citizen of history, and as a cosmic child.  I studied natural history with anthropology, seeking to integrate and interpret the knowledge of intuitive ancient cultures with the rational ways of the modern world. 

Which brings me back to Biomimicry.   The concept of using nature as a template for problem solving and innovation appeals to both halves of my brain - the top and the bottom (actually that would be the left and the right, at least when I am standing up).  I think the most powerful aspect in engaging both halves of the brain is that Biomimicry can help both "qualify" the value of the natural world (for disciplines such as conservation, ecology, natural history, biodiversity) and "quantify" the value (for fields such as engineering, business, politics, physics).  In this sense, it is an extremely powerful tool in bringing ostensibly contradictory fields together.  

It can also serve to reunite our intuitive appreciation for nature with our desperate need to right our wrong-doings towards it, which will ultmately bring peace and harmony back to our civilization . . . if the giant meteor doens't wipe us all out first.