Ant colony Ants are not mental giants, and
they can't see the big picture. Yet out of their simple
behaviors—follow the strongest pheromone trail, say, or save the queen at
all costs when under attack—arises a classic example of emergence: the
ant colony. The colony exhibits an extraordinary ability to explore and exploit
its surroundings. It is aware of and reacts to food sources, floods, enemies,
and other phenomena, over a substantial piece of ground. Each ant dies after
days or months, but the colony survives for years, becoming more stable and
organized over time.
