By Olakunle Agboola – Myrmecology is the branch of science that deals with the study of ants. Ants are known to be amazing social insects as there is much knowledge that can be obtained by paying close attention to them. There are over 10,000 different species of ants on earth and they have the ability to lift 20 times their own body weight.
These creatures have been found to build structures 500 times their own height. In addition, the brain of a single ant contains 250,000 cells, whereas the human brain contains 10,000 Million cells. The life expectancy of an ant is 45-60 days. Yet these tiny creatures accomplish much in their short lifespan. A first glance at the anthill, many organized activities will be observed, which involves their day-to-day activities. Ants also have leaders, who are always mentally on alert with plans to protect, defend and provide for their colony.
Humans, on the other hand, are also social animals; we owe our success as a species in large measure to our ability to cooperate in finding solutions to the problems of everyday survival and reproduction. However, that kind of sociality presents serious conflicts for individuals, because the continued existence of a social group depends on individuals, be willing to sink at least some of their personal interests for the benefit of the larger community in order to maintain the coherence of the coalition.
According to the amazing features of ants stated above, they are always mentally on alert with plans to protect, defend and provide for their colony. The irony in humans is that most leaders around the world (in any sector) have no vision to provide, protect and defend their nation not to talk of a vision geared towards sustainable growth. Many leaders are consumed by selfishness and greed. All that matters to them is to rule and the development of their nation is never paramount, as we have seen with ants who make the colony development their primary assignment. Every organization, every committee, every class within the nation must have plans and visions to make the world a better place to live. This should be our primary assignment.
In addition, paying a closer attention to the anthill, they are hardly seen sitting or standing around doing nothing. Everyone one of them has a known responsibility, they know what to do at every point in time. They know their place within the social group because they have a strong structure that easily identifies individuals with their unique endowment. Emulating this example will help build a structure where individual talents and gifts would be embraced and in return used to promote the nation. It is obvious that some nations have gotten this right and it is so sad that many nations are wasting away by not recognizing the unique endowment of their people in the advancement of their world. The 21st-century leaders will have to brace up knowing that individual uniqueness is a blessing to our world.
Furthermore, another interesting feature about ants is that they work together in harmony. This was achievable because each one of them is responsible for something. They are always busy with their duty, which made fighting impossible. But with humans, it is not like that. We are always at war with each other, endangering our lives. The world can be a better place if we do not allow a religious crisis, tribal war, political crisis, races etc. to carry us away. If little ants can work together or co-exists without fighting or killing themselves, then humans can do better been higher social beings. Ants are successful social insects because of the peace and harmony that exist among them. When they come together, they optimize naturally and accomplish tasks that is far beyond their reach. The world will definitely achieve unremarkable result far beyond our imagination if we can reason like the ants.
Ants are always prepared. They do not know the meaning of procrastination. They do what ought to be done at the time it ought to be done. They do not wait until the weather turns cold before they prepare to store food in their colonies rather they gather food while the weather is still warm. Like the popular saying, “Success is opportunity mixed with preparedness.” A great society or nation to prepare and invest in the future of its people, which is a collective effort of individuals to take hold of today’s opportunity and not let it slip away. This is how an ideal society should be structured laying the brick of today’s opportunity for tomorrow’s success to be on it. This is how ants have developed their colony and are expected of us to see beyond today to have a better tomorrow.
There is so much to learn if we can take time to study this little but powerful creature called ants. The bible even suggested that we emulate them. Their way of life has made them successful social insects and it is of importance to imbibe their culture of social integration as individuals, family, government, nation, organization, and society. The world will be a better place if we all stand for what is right by judging our mental disparity along the line between right and wrong.
The concern now lies within immediate questions of an individual to think literally of creating a better world which all can co-exist and live in harmony. The development of individual being is constantly reinforcing the mind above pessimistic thought, which might otherwise be harmful to the advancement, of our world. Let us always tell ourselves “An ant cannot be better than me because I have more brain cells than it does.” This will help us do the needful and also help to make the world a better place.
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