This blog maintains that the emergence of humans six million years ago represented a rare biological “transition” to collective function similar to “eusocial” insects, mainly ants, bees and termites. For the first time, there has been a reliable estimate of how many ants are on earth. This paper illustrates that collective function has propelled both …
I am reminded of the movies about aliens from other planets living among us by a remarkable article by Elizabeth Pennisi in the November 18 issue of Science entitled “An Evolutionary Classic.” Excerpts from the article: An army ant colony does not welcome outsiders. Not only are the ants notoriously fierce, but they specialize in …
In The Social Conquest of Earth, E. O. Wilson soft-pedals and sugarcoats the darkness of his vision of human nature so transparently expressed in his novel, Anthill, as similar to chronically warring colonies of ants – all our virtue derives from the cooperation necessary for groups to successfully wage war. In his ant myth of …
I wish to be clear about the differences between Dr. Wilson’s vision of who we are based on his knowledge of ants and various other insects and my knowledge based on my direct observation of human emotions. First, as far as the “kin selection” debate, he dismisses the importance of William Hughes’ landmark finding …
Richard Dawkins in his brilliant book on evolution, The Geatest Show on Earth (2009,) he relegates the entire subject of group selection to one footnote, which follows: “The popular cunard about Hitler being inspired by Darwin comes partly from the fact that both Hitler and Darwin were impressed by something that everybody has known for …
I feel compelled to write on the momentous occasion E.O. Wilson’s newly released The Social Conquest of Earth. Those few who know my thinking know that I have high regard for E.O.Wilson and that he has inspired me for many years. I would point out a couple things though. Dr. Wilson knows ants. …
