Complexity Digest 2006.46 - 02.01

Nov-13-2006

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Group Decisions: From Compromise To Leadership In Pigeon Homing, ScienceDaily Bookmark and Share

Excerpt: By studying how homing pigeons decide between two attractive options--following a habitual route home and flying in the company of another homing pigeon--researchers have deepened our understanding of the forces that underlie decision-making by social animals. (...) make decisions that affect not just themselves, but everyone in the group. For example, when embarking on a journey together, individuals must agree on the route--a difficult task if group members cannot assess who are the best navigators or who is best informed about possible routes. Is a "democratic" average of everyone's opinion best? Or is it better to trust a leader? (...)