Long ages ago, ants and bees living and working with their sisters divided their work in a new way: one gathering food, another laying eggs; and there came to be a new life form under the sun. A superorganism composed of many insects divides the tasks of eating, digestion, storage, defense, housekeeping, and reproduction. Individuals' bodies now permanently shape themselves for a single role in the colony. Workers make a good living at their jobs, far outnumbering their cousins in non-social species.

Humans think, plan, and choose very differently from insects, but we have also discovered the advantages of division of labour. Our nations, guilds, or corporations behave in infantile ways: devouring without restraint, fouling their beds, lashing out in a blind rage. But are they capable of maturing? Will this planet's fierce limits give more adaptable and foresighted collectives a competitive advantage? Once more, Earth has evolved a new kind of life form. This isn't a matter of job security: this is heady stuff. What songs shall we sing about choosing to be part of things greater or more terrifying than our single selves?

Wait a bit, I've got to put something in rhyme...