Swarm intelligence is where large groups of animals exhibit a group intelligence and capability much larger than any of the individual animals exhibit or are even aware of. Examples include small fish and birds that unconsciously and instinctually form large groups that protect themselves from predators (essentially forming one large animal), ant groups that gather food in long lines and termites that build giant, intricate homes. Each of the animals does a very simpleminded task in its own immediate surroundings (a fish in a school will swim a certain distance from surrounding fish) and is unaware of the groups’ overall structure and capability.

Humans exhibit swarm intelligence, such as in economics and mobs. Computer scientist study swarm intelligence to make crowded areas, such as airport terminals and commercial transportation routes, function more efficiently.

The topic of swarm intelligence begs the question of if there are swarm intelligences and group functions the human species are doing that they are not unaware of.

It also begs the question of if individual consciousness, or consciousness itself, is as important as humans say it is. We could be, in fact are, doing things higher and more intelligent than we, both as individuals and groups, are conscious of. Consciousness and awareness are things humans traditional aspire to, greatly value, but perhaps human consciousness of things is nothing more than a quaint and relatively minor quality in the big picture of group intelligence, group function, group minds and beyond.