Culture & Religion — August 12, 2009

Ants on the Brain

The most counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday.

Researchers are learning about the human brain from a system that is more similar to our gray matter than you may think: ant colonies. Just as neurons navigate through your head in a choreographed but mysterious dance, ants work together in a complex ways in order to make the colony far exceed any individual ant’s potential. Seed reports on how the research of computer scientist James Marshall and biologist Nigel Franks into ant colonies is leading to answers about the general principles of organization of the human brain.

Several experts on the mind have talked to Big Think, including Oliver Sacks, “Welcome to Your Brain” author Sam Wang, and Philosopher Daniel Dennett of Tufts University.

The most counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday.

Illustration of Earth with digital connections and text "Generative vs. Predictive AI" on a dark background.

Hard Science

Test Video

Some copy goes here

Life

Test Internal Ceros

Collage of classical art suggesting a theme related to somatic markers.

Business

How “somatic markers” can transform your decision-making

Ditch the old brain vs. heart assumptions, and instead think about a heart-led brain.

A black and white image of a bunch of spheres, symbolizing the multiverse concept discussed by scientists.

Starts With A Bang

How logic and reasoning can fail as scientific tools

In logic, ‘reductio ad absurdum’ shows how flawed arguments fall apart. Our absurd Universe, however, often defies our intuitive reasoning.

A wooden sign indicating "assisted migration rep 2" in a pine forest under a clear blue sky.

Life

Moving trees north to save the forests

As the world warms, trees in forests such as those in Minnesota will no longer be adapted to their local climates. That’s where assisted migration comes in.

Up Next

Technology & Innovation

Google Earth: From Security Threat to International Asset

When Google unveiled its innovative, if voyeuristic, satellite photo tool to the computer-loving public, it was revolutionary, it was compelling, it was intriguing, it was… a major threat against national […]