Interaction Networks
Brief touches that coordinate millions
The Power of Brief Touches
Ant communication happens through antenna touches lasting fractions of a second. These brief contacts encode identity, task, history, and state through chemical signatures.
There are no messages - information is implicit and embodied. Intelligence lives in the connection topology rather than individual nodes.
Chemical Signatures
Every ant carries a unique hydrocarbon profile on their cuticle - a chemical ID card that encodes colony membership, caste, task history, and current state.
When antennae touch, ants 'read' these profiles instantly. No explicit communication needed.
- Colony identity (friend or foe)
- Current task assignment
- Recent activity history
- Nutritional state
Network Topology
The pattern of who meets whom matters more than any individual ant's knowledge. Information flows through the network structure itself.
Dense interaction networks spread information fast. Sparse networks create bottlenecks. The topology IS the intelligence.
Key Concepts
"Ants don't send messages. They leave traces. And traces, unlike messages, don't require anyone to receive them."
Summary
Antenna touches lasting fractions of a second encode identity, task, history, and state through chemical signatures. There are no messages - information is implicit and embodied. Intelligence lives in the connection topology rather than individual nodes.
Lessons from Ants at Work