Recently, and as it happened, just after a lengthy tango-L thread on floorcraft and the lack thereof, I listened to a discussion (ABC Big Ideas program), on the behaviour of locusts. Briefly, locusts are not generally gregarious, but in certain conditions the population increases dramatically, forcing them into close proximity. Initially their behaviour is chaotic movement. However, when the crowding reaches a threshold, they suddenly start moving in concert .. parallel movement in-the-same-direction, and the swarm is on the move.
Studies, involving both simulation and monitoring of swarm behaviour, suggest that this is not caused by some grand plan, nor by any follow-the-leader mentality, but by each individual locust having a couple of simple rules. Basically they are conscious of, and cooperate with, individuals within 100-200 mm. (8 inches?). That's it. The contrast with a typical milonga was obvious. Someone, during the abovementioned tango-L floorcraft discussion, commented of tanguero behaviour, "smarter than your average bear". Perhaps "dumber than your average locust" may be more apt? Or perhaps, we just have yet to reach the magic threshold? In the same direction? Wow! _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
