The Superorganism (broadcast Friday, December 5th, 2008)

A tenacious ant in Ecuador. Photo by Annette Heist

Ira talks with eminent biologist Edward O. Wilson and Bert Holldobler about ants, bees, and other social insects. The pair have written a sequel to their 1990 Pulitzer Prize winning book 'The Ants.' The new work, called 'The Superorganism,' looks at whether large groups of animals can function together as a single, unified 'superorganism.'

Guests

Edward O. Wilson
Co-author: "The Superorganism: The Beauty, Elegance and Strangeness of Insect Societies," (W.W. Norton and Company, 2008)
Pelegrino University Research Professor, Emeritus
Harvard University
Boston, Massachusetts

Bert Holldobler
Co-author: "The Superorganism: The Beauty, Elegance and Strangeness of Insect Societies," (W.W. Norton and Company, 2008)
Foundation Professor
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona

Related Links

• Discover Interview: E.O. Wilson
• E.O. Wilson: TED Prize wish: Help build the Encyclopedia of Life
• Scientist at Work | Edward O. Wilson Taking a Cue From Ants on Evolution of Humans
• Encyclopedia of Life
• E.O. Wilson Returns to the Hive With Superorganism Tome

Segment produced by:Annette Heist

Image:
Photo by Flickr user Aarthi

Image: A group of ants collaborate to drag a bee carcass up a wall.
Photo by Flickr user Hamid Saber

Stories for
Friday, December 5th, 2008

• Climate Update
• Physics for Future Presidents
• Smiling In Groups
• The Superorganism

Elsewhere on Sciencefriday.com

Explore More

• Insects
• Social Sciences