How do ants know what to do?

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Armed with a backhoe and a handful of markers, Deborah Gordon studies ant colonies in the Arizona desert. 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.


5 Responses to How do ants know what to do?

  1. I think ants are truly amazing. I love watching the do their thing, outside though, not in my house. One of the most amazing things I have seen insects do is a wasp swooping down on my dinner plate, grabbing a grain of long rice, and flying off with it, all in one motion. Not an ideal site for people who are scared of insects, and to be honest I wasn’t impressed with the nest in the outside restaurant, but it was cool nonetheless.

  2. I think ants are truly amazing. I love watching the do their thing, outside though, not in my house. One of the most amazing things I have seen insects do is a wasp swooping down on my dinner plate, grabbing a grain of long rice, and flying off with it, all in one motion. Not an ideal site for people who are scared of insects, and to be honest I wasn’t impressed with the nest in the outside restaurant, but it was cool nonetheless.

  3. I think ants are truly amazing. I love watching the do their thing, outside though, not in my house. One of the most amazing things I have seen insects do is a wasp swooping down on my dinner plate, grabbing a grain of long rice, and flying off with it, all in one motion. Not an ideal site for people who are scared of insects, and to be honest I wasn't impressed with the nest in the outside restaurant, but it was cool nonetheless.