A fantastic bit of information, humor, and ideas so eloquently dropped by Mr. Jonathan Zittrain.

[TED - The Web as random acts of kindness]

“Bonnie Bassler discovered that bacteria “talk” to each other, using a chemical language that lets them coordinate defense and mount attacks. The find has stunning implications for medicine, industry — and our understanding of ourselves.”

Pretty incredible discovery if you ask me, and I know a thing or two about incredible discoveries. . .

It is very interesting to think about this on a very simple level, very simple organisms that can’t do anything really on their own can really do a lot when there is a lot of them and they can communicate effectively. Maybe humans should try this idea in a little more dramatic way.

Barry Schwartz makes a passionate call for “practical wisdom” as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy. He argues powerfully that rules often fail us, incentives often backfire, and practical, everyday wisdom will help rebuild our world.

This is my favorite talk of TED 2009 so far. What is being said is applicable in so many parts of our society it is just depressing. Think people think!

watch and learn and enjoy:

Mathematician Steven Strogatz shows how flocks of creatures (like birds, fireflies and fish) manage to synchronize and act as a unit — when no one’s giving orders. The powerful tendency extends into the realm of objects, too.

[TED]