Natures wonders: ant colony complexity (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, October 22, 2015, 14:14 (3318 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: When does learned behaviour become instinct? Once behaviour is established as beneficial, no doubt it does become instinctive, but instinct gives way to learning when there are problems to be solved or new opportunities to be exploited. This ability to absorb and process new information, and adjust behaviour accordingly (possibly even to the extent of inventing new behaviours that lead to new structures), may well extend from ourselves right down to the molecular level. This is in line with the ideas of thinkers such as Shapiro, Talbott and Barham among many others, though alas they do not include Dr. D. Turell!-Still 50/50. Just as likely I am right and lots of folks agree with me. I know how automatic my cells are in my human body.