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ANTS Fold Your PANTS!

ANTS Fold Your PANTS!

What if we could harness the superior problem-sol…

What The If? · Philip Shane, Matt Stanley, Gabrielle Paniccia

January 20, 202555m 49s

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Show Notes

What if we could harness the superior problem-solving abilities of ants? After scientists discovered that ants outperform humans at maneuvering objects through mazes (even when the humans can see but aren't allowed to talk or gesture), we imagine a world where humans learn to control these master cooperators. From ant armies forming living conveyor belts to deliver mail, to using chemical trails to guide them in cleaning houses, explore what happens when humans try to domesticate insects for manual labor. Just don't get too squeamish when you learn it takes 150 million ants to move your couch! Based on "Ants best humans at test of collective intelligence" by Christie Wilcox, published in Science.org on December 30, 2024 (https://www.science.org/content/article/ants-best-humans-test-collective-intelligence). --- Find out more about Gaby's science fiction short story! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention

Topics

scienceuniversesciencefictionimaginationlearningexploringearthspaceplanetsgalaxyastronomyphysicsengineeringsocialsciencepredictionsfuturefuturismprognosticationeinsteinnewtongalileohistoryofsciencehistory