the complexity of magnetic termite mounds

A quote from MIKE HANSELL, Emeritus Professor of Animal Architecture at Glascow University, from his book BUILT BY ANIMALS:writing about how millions of tiny termites can build complex mounds 10 feet high:

"We should never underestimate the capacity of animals simpler than ourselves to come up with effective yet simple alterantives to our own." (pp.99)

 Best new word learned in book: STIGMERGY and the concept of "emergent properties"

NB: Mike will be a guest on an upcoming INQUIRY. In a special "on-line only" segment, he talks about what Bower Birds can tell us about the human artistic impulse. Quite amazing.

Mark