ANTS Fold Your PANTS! episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 20, 2025 · 55 MIN

ANTS Fold Your PANTS!

from What The If? · host Philip Shane, Matt Stanley, Gabrielle Paniccia

What if we could harness the superior problem-solving abilities of ants? After scientists discovered that ants outperform humans at maneuvering objects through mazes (even when the humans can see but aren't allowed to talk or gesture), we imagine a world where humans learn to control these master cooperators. From ant armies forming living conveyor belts to deliver mail, to using chemical trails to guide them in cleaning houses, explore what happens when humans try to domesticate insects for manual labor. Just don't get too squeamish when you learn it takes 150 million ants to move your couch! Based on "Ants best humans at test of collective intelligence" by Christie Wilcox, published in Science.org on December 30, 2024 (https://www.science.org/content/article/ants-best-humans-test-collective-intelligence). --- Find out more about Gaby's science fiction short story! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 20, 2025

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

ANTS Fold Your PANTS!

0:00 55:49

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of What The If??

This episode is 55 minutes long.

When was this What The If? episode published?

This episode was published on January 20, 2025.

Can I download this What The If? episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!