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Based on her many years of work with two ant colonies, one in an arid desert and one in a lush tropical forest, Deborah M. Gordon has written a detailed, incisive account of the differences in their collective behaviours, and the extent to which behavioural patterns are influenced by their environment. Controlled experiments in a laboratory, valuable though they unquestionably are, can never replace "real life" experience in the organism's daily struggle to exist.
For as long as I can remember, or so it seems, discussion has focussed on nature versus nurture, and the extent to which these two forces, at times allegedly in opposition to each other, influence behaviour. Gordon lays to rest the contention that they are separate values, and one does not operate in isolation from the other. She says, "As soon as we attempt to divide the causes of heredity into inside and outside, nature and nurture, instinct and learning, we are committed to failure."
The nature of a feedback regime is critical to a full understanding of collective behaviour, and its relationship to high or low modularity. Feedback reflects the nature of the environment in which the organisms operate.
Given that much of human activity, even the intercourse between nations, international alliances and political parties is keenly dependent on collective behaviour, any attempt to fully understand the forces that influence it, is all to the good. We certainly need a matrix for collective cooperation rather than collective conflict.
We have had far too much of that!
The Ecology of Collective Behavior - Princeton University Press
Deborah M. Gordon
Paperback - US$29.95 - ISBN 9780691232157
184 pages - 6.125 x 9.25 inches (15.31 x 23.125 cm)
7 black-and-white illustrations
Publication date: 24 October, 2023
I'm sure it's an interesting book, David. Yes, there are plenty of conflicts these days, and it's just so amazing that people never learn from their mistakes.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
Oh ants! like snails, they are a huge problem in my garden. I don't use any chemicals, so it's very difficult to get rid of them.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the book is very interesting.
Greetings.
Sounds interesting, thanks for the review. There is way too much conflict lately. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteLately?
DeleteI'm afraid that this one sounds a bit too highbrow for me, David. I do, however, share the sentiments in your closing comments.
ReplyDeleteMy best wishes to you and Miriam - - - Richard
And I always though of you as a highbrow kind of guy!
DeleteBuena información de la reseña de ese libro.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo
'We certainly need a matrix for collective cooperation rather than collective conflict.' Well said, David.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angie.
DeleteI read the title any my first thought was it's too bad humans can't focus more on collective behavior instead of thinking about hate and harming people/the environment and craving power. And then I read the end of your post and see you thought the same thing. Happy November David. I hope you didn't get snow with this storm I see passed through.
ReplyDeleteNo snow, Erika, but a hard frost this morning.
Delete...as humans, what happened to our collection good?
ReplyDeleteHello David :=)
ReplyDeleteNature verses nurture has been a topic of conversation on occasion on family get togethers and It's always been a fascinating discussion seeing as we humans do not start out in life with equal advantages, but on the whole we do seem to be in favour of both to achieve good results., but not always! On collective behaviour I know it can be destructive, "now there are two wars raging," and humankind is not kind at all, and it can be without thought, as I recall the "Herd Instinct" but when collective behaviour is used for the good of all, it is a necessary and powerful force. "The Ecology of Collective Behaviour" seems like a good read. a book to enjoy and perhaps provoke more discussions.not just about the human race.
All the best David
Hugs and xxxxxx.
I wish I had been a part of those discussions around the table, Sonjia.
DeleteI often ponder my own upbringing and that of my children on the nature vs nurture and i think you are right, it needs to be collective of both. the problem with nurture and collective, we see all these shooters in mass killings and it seems to me, it is more nature that was changed and molded my outside influences. also some appear to be home life yet siblings did not do things like that. sounds like ants might be the same as humans
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting and thought-provoking review. I wonder, can you recommend a title on owls?
ReplyDeleteEmail me and let me know what you are looking for. An identification guide? Lifestyle and breeding biology? Owls of North America or Owls of the World? I have many books on these fascinating birds and I am sure I can recommend something appropriate.
DeleteThank you, will send an email.
DeleteAnother wonderful review, David. The book sounds like a good read, thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnts are a very orderly army.
ReplyDeleteFascinating. And a big YES to your closing comments.
ReplyDeleteSounds like somebody with a lot of common sense!! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I would like to see people being collectively good! That would be something! Hugs xxxxx
ReplyDeleteDear David,
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a smart approach. By the way, I think it must be interesting to observe ant colonies in such different living environments!
Let us HOPE that conclusions and, above all, solutions for human interaction can be drawn from the findings.
I thank you very much for your comments to me! In the context of conflicts, I unfortunately have to inform you that last night there was an arson attack on the Israelite section of the Vienna Central Cemetery: The anteroom of the ceremonial hall burned out. Swastikas were sprayed on exterior walls. Fortunately, no one was injured. The fire brigade and police are investigating... These events make me very worried and sad. Some parts of the human race are truly a terrible bunch.
Less tragic, but also unpleasant, that you recently had major problems with commenting. I think Google was working on the system somewhere in the background, because for weeks many of my blogging friends and I were having complications with commenting and other blog issues. But things seem to be going better again in the last few days. I hope the difficulties have now resolved themselves happily for you, too.
All the best - I hope you've had a good start to November,
Traude
Interesting
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Wishing you a happy new month.
Thank you for this, David...and I, too, agree with your last comment....
ReplyDeleteTake good care. :)
Interesting....I believe in the power of cooperation rather than the power of competition.....Abrazotes, Marcela
ReplyDeleteHi David, que tal! interesting book, is the old debate of nature versus nurture, i believe that these forces should not be considered as separate entities, but rather interact in complex ways..
ReplyDeleteGood recommendation, dear friend. Have a peaceful night and a great November.
Interesting on Ants, they are clever creatures like all creatures. Nice review.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an interesting book David.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Greetings Irma
I am curious about the parallels between collective behavior in the human race and the animal kingdom. I'm thinking about the poitical cults we are seeing today and how they have evolved. And, looking back on Timothy Snyder's excellent book "On Tyranny," thinking about how we can fight that before the collective gets too big -- and the places that didn't.
ReplyDeleteNot a book I am familiar with, Jeanie. I will mark it down.
DeleteThat's an interesting subject for a book and this one does sound well-done. I can add it to my TBR list but that list is now so long that who knows when I will ever get to it!
ReplyDeleteInteresting but a bit over my head I think, I could not agree more with your final comments however. It is a sad world we live in. Bisous mon ami, Diane
ReplyDeleteMore conflict!! I'm all for collective cooperation although it's hard to find these days..I totally agree with your last comment..
ReplyDeleteI need to look for this one! Thanks, David!
ReplyDeleteThis is a crazy world! It's sad to see what happens in this period.
ReplyDeleteAbout the ants: I love to watch them at work in my backyard.
Querido David muy de acuerdo con tus palabras. Parece un libro interesante. Un abrazo enorme para ti y para Míriam.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, man seems to be more focused on collective conflicts and wars, than on creating ways to do colletive cooperation to solve the problems that arise, whatever they may be.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly a fantastic book!
Many thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Hi David - I'd love to read this ... or perhaps for ease - just hear a talk on it! Life is just so sad for so many at present - and where on earth is it going to lead to ... thanks for telling us about it. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteNo sé porqué pero todos los libros me gustan. Abrazos.
ReplyDelete