Skip to main content
Ants have been talking for a long time
Although the study of ants can be interpreted to suit any political or philosophical argument it can fuel organisational imagination, write Rox Middleton, Liam Shaw and Miriam Gauntlett
ANCIENT KNOW-HOW, PLANNING AND TEAM EFFORT: (L to R) Bridge building; Fossil ant in Baltic amber, age about 50 million years, Eocene; Myrmecocystus ants storing nectar to prevent colony famine [(L to R) Igor Chuxlancev-Anders L Damgaard-Greg Hume all CC]

COMPLEX multicomponent societies rely principally on communication. Researchers suggest that evidence of 100 million years of communication gives us a deeper insight into the evolution of ant sociality.

Emergent properties of groups occur when many things interact to produce effects that are not seen in the case of the isolated individual element.

From simple things like waves and crystals, to complex ones like swarms and consciousness, these effects are ubiquitous. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Statue of Oliver Cromwell
Full Marx / 2 February 2026
2 February 2026

The selection, analysis and interpretation of historical ‘facts’ always takes place within a paradigm, a model of how the world works. That’s why history is always a battleground, declares the Marx Memorial Library

LIFELONG MUTATIONS: Spermatogenesis commences during puberty and continues throughout life and until old age because of the inexhaustible stem cell reservoir - an abundance of germ cells are developed and delivered from the seminiferous tubules / Pic: CoRus13/CC
Anatomy / 22 October 2025
22 October 2025

New research into mutations in sperm helps us better understand why they occur, while debunking a few myths in the process, write ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT

Old Persian text
Book Review / 15 August 2025
15 August 2025

GORDON PARSONS is enthralled by an erudite and entertaining account of where the language we speak came from

GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER: Settlers from Yitzhar settlement, south of Nablus, cut down 97 olive trees in the village of Burin, 2009 / Pic: ISM Palestine/CC
Features / 30 July 2025
30 July 2025

Olive oil remains a vital foundation of food, agriculture and society, storing power in the bonds of solidarity. Though Palestinians are under attack, they continue to press forward write  ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT