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Cockroaches Make Group Decisions?

The Discovery Channel is reporting a recent study indicates that cockroaches govern themselves using simple group consultations before anything that affects the entire group. From the article: " The research determined that cockroach decision-making follows a predictable pattern that could explain group dynamics of other insects and animals, such as ants, spiders, fish and even cows. Cockroaches, Blattella Germanica, are silent creatures, save perhaps for the sound of them scurrying over a counter top. They therefore must communicate without vocalizing.

13 of 212 comments (clear)

  1. Kafkaesque by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not only can they communicate, but they also have a staunch work ethic. They've been known to make every attempt to get to work on time regardless of whatever transformations may happen to them over night.

    Poor Gregor, no matter how hard he released pheromones, his parents just wouldn't listen ... er ... smell to him.

    --
    My work here is dung.
  2. That explains it! by nemik · · Score: 4, Funny

    That explains all those committees and cabinets then that politicians constantly set up. Only cockroaches are obviously much more effective in their efforts.

  3. Nature's middle-management. by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny

    Cockroaches have regular staff meetings in order to create synergy, redefine their core competencies, implement new strategems, and satisfy shareholders.

    Termites can do it too, but they hold theirs inside a plank of wood, hence the term "board meeting."

  4. Intelligence by thewiz · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's interesting to see other animals, and now possibly insects, demonstrate intelligent behaviour and communicate with each other. Wether they use body language, chemical emmissions, or sign language with their antenna, I'd say it looks like we keep finding intelligent life on our own planet.

    But, if I find one in my house I'm still going to squish it.

    --
    If "disco" means "I learn" in Latin, does "discothèque" mean "I learn technology"?
  5. Smarter then many humans? by truthsearch · · Score: 4, Funny

    cockroach decision-making follows a predictable pattern

    So some of my past managers really were dumber than cockroaches? I knew it! Thank you /. for validating what I knew all along.

  6. So that's why he went down. by dada21 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Poor Scarface. He didn't realize those cockroaches he was going to bury were colluding together against him.

    Words of wisdom, I guess.

  7. More pictures by 88NoSoup4U88 · · Score: 4, Funny

    As the article is scarce on pics, here some more pictures of the cockroaches meeting up before making decisions. :)

  8. Re:nothing to hear here, move along by lbrandy · · Score: 5, Funny

    And similiar to the Republican-dominated Congress.

    You realize the article was about how cockroaches get together, communicate effectively, and do what is good for the entire group, right? That means you either completely mistrolled for the slashdot groupthink, or you are the bravest Republican in the history of slashdot. Either way, I fear a karma-punishment in your future.

  9. Re:Atoms are democratic too by amliebsch · · Score: 5, Funny

    Anthropomorphizations do not like to be mocked.

    --
    If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.
  10. Cockroach Decisions by Nom+du+Keyboard · · Score: 5, Funny
    Will cockroaches out-survive humans?

    CR1: Is that the sound of a light-switch I hear?
    CR2: Yes!
    CR3: What should we do?
    CR4: Run!
    CR5: Do I have a second?

    Maybe not!

    --
    "It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
  11. Re:Of course they communicate... by Mr+Guy · · Score: 4, Funny

    So you are saying our Nuclear program...is bugged?

  12. Re:Biological spelling flame... by mapmaker · · Score: 5, Funny

    What are you talking about? Blattella Germanica totally deserves both capital letters!! It's the best science fiction show since Babylon 5, even if they did make Starbuck a girl!!

    Why are you looking at me like that?

  13. Cockroach Staff Meeting Intercept by aldheorte · · Score: 5, Funny

    Pointy Hair Roach: "So, let's see, I wonder if the technical department can create a turn-key solution for feeding tonight?"
    Long Hair Roach: "Sure, what do you have in mind?"
    Pointy Hair Roach: "Well, let's see, we need a diversion, why don't we have a volunteer climb up into the light fixture and drop onto her sholder, which will cause her to scream, flail about, and run out of the room."
    Long Hair Roach: "Um, how do we get into to the light fixture?"
    Pointy Hair Roach: "I dunno, go license some tech from the ants for hanging from ceilings and stuff."
    Long Hair Roach: "Uh... ok."
    Pointy Hair Roach: "Right, so while the volunteer is running back and forth avoiding the fly swatter, huge feet, and general mayhem, we'll monitor progress from the counter top."
    Long Hair Roach: "So, who's going to volunteer?"

    Pointy Hair Roach: "Well, since you brought it up..."
    Long Hair Roach: "So, you want me to outsource the tech to the ants, then use it untested to scale a vertical wall, hang from a ceiling, get into a light fixture without being electrocuted - you didn't think of that, did you? And then dropping onto a human and avoiding getting crushed. Wait, what are you going to do to contribute?"
    Pointy Hair Roach: "We'll be eating the toast."