Material World - 15/01/2009

Quentin Cooper investigates the nature of superorganisms. Animals such as ants are relatively simple organisms, but a colony of ants can display complex behaviour and what looks like planning and even creativity far beyond the knowledge and capacity of any individual. US biologists EO Wilson and Bert Holldobler suggest that this, along with the likes of bees and termites, are all examples of superorganisms. Quentin investigates the altruistic cooperation, complex communication and division of labour that make up the biological organisation that goes towards the transition from individual to superorganism, and asks if human society could be heading the same way.