Power In Numbers
Whereas one ant is incapable of complex thought, a colony of thousands (or hundreds of thousands) can solve some fairly elaborate problems. 3 million legs, it would seem, are better than six. This study of swarm theory suggests that we could learn quite a bit about managing complex technological systems from those pesky, eusocial arthropods.
Via Digg.
Posted on July 3, 2007 by - Patrick James
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Power in Numbers
I enjoyed the article very much. It helped me to understand some things I often wonder about. I wondered whether (when the predator example was used) if all potential victims were aware of the presence of danger or of just the pontential of danger. If utilizing the latest technology, the biods, or scouts, or whatever is being used to survey the environment are not aware of why they are being told to inform and monitor, it is understandable that they do for they have been given a reason to do so, regardless of if its true or not, as they have no need to know. They are just as the article suggests, tools used in large numbers to locate and transfer information. They do so wheter trained or programmed and ask not why. I feel much better knowing the science behind the practice. However, I still wonder which groups are patrolling and for what reason. I know now that it is not for me to know, nor is it necessarily for the scouts to know. Just knowing that their is a ryhme to the reason is enough for me.
Posted on July 11, 2007 — by msjorden
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