Stock Markets and Bugs!
Buzzing Insights — Cicadas and Collective Decisions
Cicadas emerge
synced to nature’s unseen beat
swarms fill the spring air
mathematical minds
modeling their dance with ease
stock markets and bugs!
tiny nymphs decide
temperature their guidepost
nature’s music
In whispers heard
communication unseen
yet swarms as one
evolution’s hand
guiding group decisions made
in nature’s brilliant plan
together we may find
kinder compassionate care
we can all win!
In the eastern United States, particularly in places like Columbus Ohio — a fascinating natural phenomenon occurs every 13 or 17 years. Billions of cicadas emerge from their underground homes, filling the air with their unmistakable buzz as they mate and reproduce. This synchronized emergence happens across different broods, creating a spectacle that captures the curiosity of researchers and the public alike.
Scientists have long been intrigued by the timing and coordination of these cicada swarms. Why do they emerge together, sometimes even across different broods? A recent study from the University of Cambridge sheds light on this phenomenon — specifically drawing parallels between the collective decision-making of cicadas and the dynamics of stock market crashes.
Published in the journal Physical Review E, the research presents a mathematical model that explains how cicada swarms synchronize their emergence despite variations in local conditions like temperature. Unlike previous theories that focused solely on environmental triggers this model emphasizes communication among cicada nymphs.
Imagine each cicada nymph as a tiny decision-maker, influenced by the temperature of its surroundings. Through interactions with nearby nymphs, these individuals reach a consensus on when to emerge, akin to aligning magnetic spins in a material. This collective decision-making process ensures that swarms emerge coherently occupying different temperature environments across their habitat.
The study, led by Professor Raymond E Goldstein and colleagues, offers valuable insights into the mechanisms behind cicada swarms. It suggests that communication among nymphs, possibly through acoustical signaling plays a crucial role in orchestrating these large-scale events.
“If our conjecture that communication between nymphs plays a role in swarm emergence is confirmed, it would provide a striking example of how Darwinian evolution can act for the benefit of the group, not just the individual,” said Goldstein. Source: Science Daily
For mathematicians like Dr. Adriana I Pesci, who worked on the research, uncovering such models that explain living behavior is incredibly intriguing. It demonstrates how mathematical principles can elucidate complex natural phenomena, even in seemingly simple cases like cicada swarms.
In developing their model, the Cambridge team was inspired by previous research on decision-making that represents each member of a group by a ‘spin’ like that in a magnet, but instead of pointing up or down, the two states represent the decision to ‘remain’ or ‘emerge’. Source: Science Daily
The implications of this study extend beyond cicadas. By understanding how collective decision-making occurs in nature, researchers gain new perspectives on evolutionary processes and the dynamics of group behavior. As Professor Goldstein notes, confirming the role of communication in swarm emergence would highlight how Darwinian evolution benefits not only individuals but also entire groups.
Moving forward — the researchers hope their findings will inspire further field studies to validate their hypotheses. By exploring the communication mechanisms among cicada nymphs, scientists may uncover more about the fascinating interplay between individual behavior and collective phenomena in the natural world.
So — dear reader — the concept of collective decision-making and its implications for evolutionary benefits for entire groups certainly sparks intriguing possibilities. What else could we influence as a collective? Perhaps we might discover a way to steer group decisions towards more prosocial or positive outcomes. It could simply depend on many of us choosing positive actions to impact our planet and our surroundings. Here’s to envisioning a kinder more compassionate world, thanks to the lessons we learn from the mighty cicadas. What do you say?
Thank you for reading!
**This article is part of the science-inspired poetry ( #SciNaVerse) prompts to get you inspired — our dear readers — do join us — take a peek, read, applaud, or better yet, join the fun! Spend some time crafting and exploring, and if you create a science or nature-inspired poetry piece (#SciNaVerse), feel free to share it anywhere on Medium — I can’t wait to read your creations.
