E.O. Wilson: "Of Ants and Men" You need to see this PBS documentary.

[trof]

http://www.pbs.org/program/eo-wilson/

I'm proud to claim Harvard professor Wilson as a fellow Alabamian.
Don't be so hasty as to kick us out of the union when we can produce brilliant people like him.

But I digress.

Wilson is a world recognized expert on insects in general, and ants in particular.
Probably THE expert on ants.

But you have to see how he gets into the 'social' aspects of ant colonies and compares them to human 'colonies'.

According to Wilson, there are 18 or 19 societies where altruism exists.
The willingness to do something for your fellow tribal member with no hope or even thought of reward. Humans are the only mammals in this group. The rest are insects.

He also says that there are altruistic people and selfish people. In a one on one relationship, the selfish seem to win. They look out for only themselves at the expense of their fellows.

BUT, according to him, an altruistic 'tribe' always wins out over a selfish tribe/group/nation.

I immediately thought of Democrats and Republicans.
IMHO, repugs are generally for individual responsibility.
No "freeloaders".
Etc., etc.
Dems are OK with having some of their tax dollars to go to help those in need.
We are the altruists.
The are the selfish.

Watch the video.
Thanks.

[haikugal]

1. He's a favorite of mine...

I'll enjoy watching this, Thanks!!

I'm not ready to get rid of anywhere or the folks that come from there...

[Shandris]

2. In the long run its true.

When I was small I read a book series called Dragonlance. I've always remembered some of the ending words of that book all these years later (although probably not precisely, but definitely close).

"Evil turns on itself. Good redeems its own."

I've tried to live by that all my life. It's not always easy, but as a philosophy it sure isn't hard, either.

[1StrongBlackMan]

3. I have always been fascinated by ants ...

I could watch them for hours.

But speaking of "Altruism" in ants ... One day I was watching a bunch of ants pouring in and out of a hill ... the ones going in carrying what looked like seed kernels and the ones going out to get the kernels.

Then I saw one ant come out the hill and, literally, tussled with a smaller ant, taking the kernel, and headed back into the hill.

I thought, "Wow ... ants are become more human like."

[LunaSea]

4. I second that recommendation!

Among the best docs I've seen recently.

Much more to see from Dr Wilson.

&spfreload=10


Lots more-
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=e.o.+wilson

[demmiblue]

5. Sounds interesting... I will check it out. n/t

[appalachiablue]

6. Saw part of this the other night, and it's on the list. I've seen Wilson interviewed by

Bill Moyers or Charlie Rose. A very bright, interesting and kind man who is regarded highly I know.

Thanks for the OP!

[FlatBaroque]

7. When we comlete, one of us wins

When we cooperate we all evolve

[Maraya1969]

8. "Humans are the only mammals in this group." NOT true

I do not understand why this man would say humans were the only mammals who understand altruism. There are so many others, dogs in particular, that show altruism.

I hope it was just a mistake

[IDemo]

9. Cetaceans (dolphins and whales, etc) have demonstrated altruism on many occasions