The paper argues for a conceptual shift from biomimicry to xenomorphology in design, proposing a "synthetic Cambrian explosion" driven by machine learning, robotics, and synthetic biology. Building on ideas from exosomatic evolution (Stiegler), mimetic theory, and assembly theory (Levin, Cronin, Walker), we critique the dominant paradigm of generalized biomimesis — the tendency to treat nature as both model and moral compass. Instead, we advocate for exploring alien morphologies, untethered from terrestrial evolutionary constraints. Using examples from evolutionary computing, we suggest that computational platforms and modular systems unlock vast new “morphospaces” and design possibilities — paving the way for more anti-fragile, and adaptive systems.
