When we were about two, we learned how to answer, “What does a cow say?” But, what did our parents say when we asked what people say? “Me! Me! Mine?!” Maybe not, after all, a lot of us are in this together. Some smart folks out there, however, are scientifically studying how we can affect positive change in our world by taking advantage of collective intelligence, a rather subjective and broad concept. My favorite “definition” so far is as follows:

Collective Intelligence relies upon the individual knowledge, creativity, and identity of its constituent parts, and emerges from a synergy between them. In its highest forms, participating in collective intelligence can actually help people self-actualize while solving collective problems. - What is Collective Intelligence?

For answers on how to realize this concept into our social network, scientists have looked to other animal societies whose success has guaranteed them a place on our earth for thousands of years. In July of this year National Geographic wrote a short but fascinating article on swarm theory, relevant to this concept. This talk has “got me thinkin’” about just why this behavior is so dang hard to grasp for humans. Other than a select, enlightened few (my verdently “green” neighbors, for example, and even Rock Bear Contributor Kathryn), people in general don’t think about or believe that their daily actions contribute to the success of our human swarm. (We are Americans, goddamn it! We do as we please! And if I have to buy a plastic swimming pool every year, well, I just will! Hell, they’re only $4.99.) Will this be the death of us? I have quite a few Make A Conscious Effort To Beget Personal and/or Positive Change missions in life, and all this swarm talk has now joined The List. It found its place easily subsequent to other very important missions, such as “in thought and action and hoping to instill social change, presume that we live in a society where children are welcomed and appreciated” (in other words: do not let the people who are annoyed with my polite children behaving like children make THEIR problem MY problem…..) and “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Even More.”

It seems like we should be teaching each generation to think about how our behavior impacts the rest of our swarm; I suppose, however, that this thought and self-reflection is a luxury that many are not capable of entertaining due to their economic, educational or familial situations. (And does it SMACK of America’s greatest evil - *gasp*- socialism!?!!!) I suggest we manage it like we do so many other social issues and teach it in school, Swarming 101. Who would argue with it? No gods, no sponsors and a simple curriculum: A: what are basic human needs and B: how to deduce if our individual and cultural group’s actions facilitate or hinder others in their quest to meet their basic needs. The impacts across all professional disciplines could be tremendous. In Community Planning, for example: Do we want to design communities that require us (through covenants, for example) to spend our extra time, energy and resources on making sure the perfectly square lawns are perfectly chem-green and perfectly mowed while we drive the kids by car for a playdate at the nearest park two miles away? Perhaps instead we could trust that the community’s inhabitants will focus their energies on activities that encourage survival of the swarm, and then plan communities that facilitate those activities. I could go on and on and on and on…… Is it sounding creepy? Perhaps this is why insects, who are often social, freak so many of us out. Some people still stomp on ants, “just because.” Would we do that if we felt we could learn from them? I think we might, but I at least find comfort in the fact that humans are capable of programming swarm behaviors in robots; at least someone would be around to feed the dog if humans ceased to exist.) As an optimist I believe most things are possible, and this is no different, albeit a daunting task. Because I am too naive and too ignorant to conjure up an appropriate and organized means of change, I am taking this one, itty-bitty step for now: Attempting to organize my thoughts on the subject has helped dissolve some of the anger I have held toward my other not-so-green, got-a-letter-from-their-attorney neighbors. I have been seeking an approach that would allow me to sincerely wish them peace and happiness, and I think I’ve found it. Ultimately then, that peace and happiness is for all of us.

Caroline is the mother of 2 boys living in Missoula, MT with her husband Jason, 2 cats and 1 phenomenally lazy dog. While teaching empathy daily, she speaks fluent Spanish, works to live greener, and rides her pony over hill and dale. Call her a multi-tasker and she'll kick you in the shins. Good luck trying to keep up with her.
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