circles and squares

[dannyday5821]

why does nature like nice rounded curves so much? why doesnt it like right angles or sharp angles? i mean, if nature caught onto the idea of something like triangulation - then it could grow into huge structures like we have - like huge skyscrapers! is it just how it (apparently) evolved? could it have evolved to be more "square"?

[Lucy Thomas]

I'm no expert in this field but i have read that circles and spheres are the most economical use of space. That's probably why it evolved as those organisms that made the best use of their environment survived whilst others didn't.

I'm sure someone will give a better answer than that.

[rov1200]

It was pointed out that nature uses quite often the fibronaci series. The number of petals on a flower for instance.

[R1Geezer]

Those pesky bees with their hexagons, just spoling the whole thing!

[Theland1]

Salt crystals are cubed.
Snow flakes are crazy.
M wife is crazy.
My wife has an angle on everything.
Gordon Brown is a bloboid.

[wildwood]

A square pigeon just doesn't work. The energy needed to overcome the wind resistance would make flying impossible so only the streamlined ones survive to carry on. Similarly, a square tree would catch so much wind that it would not be able to grow very high and compete with other species.

Nature already makes some tremendously high structures; the Antarctic ice layer is up to 3 miles thick at some places and Mount Everest is not exactly nice and rounded.

[ChuckFickens]

I like the idea of square birds... square chickens would be far easier to package, transport and stack in the supermarket.

I'm supprised it hasn't caught on :)

[bluegecko]

There are lots of reasons why circular shapes work better. They are definitely more economic in terms of energy. For example a bubble is always circular because this is the most energy efficient form. Air resistance is another and the same principle can be applied to swiming and keeping dry. In most cases plants and animals want a shape that isn't going to collect rain water, because this can increase the risk of fungal infections etc. This is especially apparent in the tropics, where for example rainforest trees have smooth, circular trunks. Also, shapes without corners tend to have lower surface areas which can help prevent heat and water loss. The list goes on..

[squarebear]

Chuck, I imagine it would be painful for the chicken to lay a square egg though!

[bluegecko]

Well they have square watermelons now.. thats a start!

[squarebear]

lol thanks lovablemrkno