stamp 202510311425
I find it fascinating and touching that the reindeer cyclon and the death spiral of ants look similar, yet has a very different meaning.
- The reindeer cyclon is a genious tool of survival. - When frightened, reindeers form a cyclon. The young, old and sick can stay near the center and move very slowly. Strong members of the herd create a fast-moving band on the outer edge. The outer edge creates an illusion of a wall, from that predators can’t single out one animal to attack.
- The death spiral is a deadly flaw in the system. - Ants move back and forth on a line of scent between the colony and their target (ie. a food source). But if they accidentally cross their old path and create a loop, they start walking round and round, until they die.
Related
- This is an example of why the “in nature” analogies can be misleading. Something that looks similar in nature can have a way different meaning.
- The death spiral of ants remind me of the story of how some sheep killed themselves by not wanting to let go of food, told in an article about herd vs pack mentality (source?)
- Another poetic parallel, this time from the true crime world: 3e1-there-s-poetry-in-the-way-how-the-brotherhood-surrounding-the-murdaugh-frauds-and-murders-was-torn-down-by-a-group-of-women