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Honeybee Democracy
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Honeybee Democracy
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Honeybees make decisions collectively - and democratically. This book reveals that these incredible insects have much to teach us when it comes to collective wisdom and effective decision making. It presents an account of scientific discovery. It investigates how evolution has honed the decision-making methods of honeybees over millions of years.
Honeybee Democracy is a wonderful book, beautifully written and illustrated, about humanity's greatest friend among the insects. The honeybee is important not only for its role in agriculture but for what it has taught us concerning the fundamental nature of complex social organization. Seeley, its leading authority, here presents it to a broad readership, with scientific exactitude written in lyrical prose. -- Edward O. Wilson, coauthor of "The Superorganism" From bees to brains, Seeley takes us on a remarkable scientific journey of discovery. Through a landmark series of studies, he explores how honeybee swarms decide where to relocate, and from this fascinating tale of life or death, he gives us deep insights into how social systems can make good choices without global information or direct leadership. This book is a masterpiece of intense investigation, careful thought, clear writing, and love for one's subject. -- John Miller, Carnegie Mellon University and the Santa Fe Institute Seeley presents an engaging story of honeybees, hives, and scientific investigators to illustrate how choices are made through self-organization in hives, human brains, and even town meetings. Honeybee Democracy offers practical lessons told through vivid language. -- Jeffrey D. Schall, E. Bronson Ingram Professor of Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University Honeybee Democracy is a sheer delight. Seeley, a superb scientist and a gifted communicator, shares fascinating learning and lessons from his splendid work with these remarkable insects. His enthusiasm is infectious and he persuasively shows that there is a great deal humans can gain from studying swarm smarts. I love this book and recommend it highly. -- Michael J. Mauboussin, author of "Think Twice: Harnessing the Power of Counterintuition" Honeybee Democracy tells one of the great stories of biology and is pertinent to general readers everywhere. -- Bernd Heinrich, author of "Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival" Honeybee Democracy is a pleasure to read. Seeley conveys the bee scientist's love and respect for the honeybee, the ingenuity necessary for uncovering the secrets of honeybee life, and the fun that is had in doing so. In an era increasingly dominated by big science and its technology, this book reminds us that a common insect and a few ingenious researchers, armed with equipment obtainable from the local shopping mall, can lead us into a remarkable world. -- Francis Ratnieks, University of Sussex
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Description
Honeybee Democracy explores how honeybees make decisions collectively and democratically. Every year, when faced with the critical choice of selecting and moving to a new home, honeybees engage in a process that involves collective fact-finding, robust debate, and consensus building. Thomas D. Seeley, a world-renowned animal behaviourist, reveals the remarkable lessons these insects offer regarding collective wisdom and effective decision making.
This richly illustrated account of scientific discovery synthesises decades of Seeley’s pioneering research to unveil the fascinating story of house hunting and democratic debate among honeybees. In late spring and early summer, as a bee colony becomes overcrowded, one-third of the hive remains to rear a new queen, while a swarm of thousands departs with the old queen to establish a daughter colony.
Seeley explains how these bees assess potential nest sites, communicate their findings, engage in open deliberation, select a final site, and migrate together, resembling a swirling cloud of bees, to their new home. Seeley delves into the evolution of honeybees’ decision-making methods over millions of years, drawing parallels between the information processing of bee swarms and primate brains.
He concludes that the strategies working well for bees can also benefit humans: decision-making groups should comprise individuals with shared interests and mutual respect, the leader's influence should be minimised, debates should be encouraged, diverse solutions sought, and the majority trusted for a reliable resolution.
Through an impressive exploration of animal behaviour, Honeybee Democracy demonstrates that decision-making groups, whether comprised of honeybees or humans, can outperform even the smartest members within them.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Honeybee Democracy by Thomas D. Seeley has been praised for its vivid explanation of honeybee behaviour and its parallels to democratic decision-making processes. Reviewers highlight Seeley's engaging narrative style, his infectious enthusiasm for bees, and the clarity with which he presents complex scientific concepts. The book is commended for its beautiful illustrations and insightful connections between bee behaviour and human organisational strategies, making it a delightful and educational read for both scientists and laypeople alike.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780691147215
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 10 October 2010
Country: United States
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Illustration: 30 color illus. 30 halftones. 26 line illus. 1 table.
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 203.0mm
Height: 229.0mm
Weight: 964g
Pages: 280
About the Author
Thomas D. Seeley is professor of biology at Cornell University and a passionate beekeeper. He is the author of The Wisdom of the Hive and Honeybee Ecology (Princeton).
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