"As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily, because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.
If we have the sense of a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are heading the same way we are.
When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.
It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
What message do we give when we honk from behind?
Finally - and this is important - when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of the formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies; and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their own group.
If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that."
Chris
5 comments:
Hello Chris,
I've just been reading your fascinating entry on geese. I wondered if we couldn't extent the metaphor to other animals. What about the feats of bees, who operate as one giant community producing honey. Only by pulling together do they achieve such productive results. What do you think?
Hi James, it is reassuring to know that you still read the blog.
Dad
I would like to add a thought to the erudite words of my fellow contributor above. I have been reflecting on the actions of bears. When they growl, that scares small animals away. Like possoms. In turn, bears are able to enjoy their lives together without the intrusion of small annoying things. Don't you think if we did more growling, we too could attain such benefits for our common life?
I too would like to contribute to this fascinating debate, having recently read an article about locusts (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7395356.stm). Research suggests that locusts form swarms because they are frightened of being eaten by each other. Perhaps the threat of cannibalism could help humans to form effective teams too. Your thoughts Chris?
Hi Dave, great to have your thoughts on this, although I am not sure that it works with locusts.
Dad
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