Name: The emergent genius of ant colonies
Uploaded: 2008-01-08T00:26:00Z
Duration: 20 min 11 s
Description: Deborah Gordon studies ant colonies in the Arizona desert to understand their complex social system. She asks: How do these chitinous creatures get down to business -- and even multitask when they need to -- with no language, memory or visible leadership? Her answers could lead to a better understanding of all complex systems, from the brain to the Web. Thanks, ants.

Deborah Gordon studies ant colonies in the Arizona desert to understand their complex social system. She asks: How do these chitinous creatures get down to business -- and even multitask when they need to -- with no language, memory or visible leadership? Her answers could lead to a better understanding of all complex systems, from the brain to the Web. Thanks, ants.

Deborah Gordon: The emergent genius of ant colonies

The emergent genius of ant colonies

Ant colonies operate without central control, using simple interactions like antennal contacts to allocate tasks among workers.

Ants adapt their roles within the colony based on changing conditions, demonstrating flexibility and interdependence of tasks.

Ant colonies exemplify self-organization: no leadership yet they adapt and thrive, a model for systems from brains to networks.