The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups

by Daniel Coyle

“We assume that because we’re complex, that the way we make decisions is also complex,” says Madeleine Beekman, who studies slime molds at the University of Sydney. “But in reality, we’re using very simple rules of thumb. The slime mold shows us that it’s possible for groups to solve extremely complex problems using a few rules of thumb.” In the case of slime molds, these rules of thumb are as follows: If there’s no food, connect with one another. If connected, stay connected and move toward the light. If you reach the light, stay connected and climb. “Honeybees work the same way,” Beekman says. “So do ants and many other species. They all use decision-making heuristics. There’s no reason we wouldn’t use it too. If you look at these species, you can feel the connection. Like us, they all seek a collective goal.”