small brains en masse from Dennis Hlynsky on Vimeo.
As a biology teacher long ago, plant life was hard to get students interested in–until.
Until I could show them fern sperm cells swimming in  a drop of dew or a filament of Oscillatoria or diatoms gliding in drop of pond water. Wait! Plants aren’t supposed to MOVE!
Animals are easier to inspire interest, largely because we can watch them behave: they exhibit action, motion, intention.
And now there are new ways to “see” the patterns of motion in animals–especially those animals who tend to move as groups.
I don’t know everything I wish I did about the technology that makes motion-tracing possible, but I know I enjoyed and was mesmerized by this video–especially the last couple of minutes.
It merges the record of individuals and groups of animals in place with time in a way the eye cannot but only the imagination could–until now–make possible.
By all means, click the vimeo clip to watch if full screen with sound.
Let me know your thoughts.
Years ago I read the book, “The Secret Life of Plants”. The ideas were stunning, but the format was the printed word, so no visual effects there! The possibilities of developing that theme with the aid of today’s technology are mind-blowing! Just a thought. I like your biology teacher’s perspective!