--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The reason that fish form schools, birds…" description: "\"The reason that fish form schools, birds form flocks, and bees form swarms is that they are smarter together than they would be apart. They don't take ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/louis-b-rosenberg-23493_decision_the-reason-that-fish-form-schools-birds_3163829.jpg" --- # The reason that fish form schools, birds form flocks, and… ![“The reason that fish form schools, birds form flocks, and bees form swarms is that they are smarter together than they would be apart. They don't take a vote; they don't take a poll: they form a system. They are all interactive and make a decision together in real time.” quote by Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/louis-b-rosenberg-23493_decision_the-reason-that-fish-form-schools-birds_3163829.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/louis-b-rosenberg-23493_decision_the-reason-that-fish-form-schools-birds_3163829.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/louis-b-rosenberg-23493_decision_the-reason-that-fish-form-schools-birds_3163829.jpg) > “The reason that fish form schools, birds form flocks, and bees form swarms is that they are smarter together than they would be apart. They don't take a vote; they don't take a poll: they form a system. They are all interactive and make a decision together in real time.” [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Collective intelligence emerges when individuals interact in real time, forming adaptive systems like schools, flocks, or swarms, which outperform isolated decision‑making. **In simple terms:** Groups think smarter together. Key Takeaway Leverage real‑time collaboration. Themes cooperation collective intelligence systems theory Mood analytical optimistic Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - team projects - crowdsourced problem solving - real‑time strategy games - collaborative research Key Concepts network theory emergent behavior Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure equal participation? - What tools foster real‑time collective decisions? A Different Perspective Consensus can be slow; dominant voices may skew outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Nature creates natural swarms. UNU uses networking technology and algorithms to take advantage of the knowledge, wisdom, and insights of a large group of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/nature-creates-natural-swarms-unu-uses-networking-technology-and/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [How does nature amplify the intelligence of groups? It forms swarms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/how-does-nature-amplify-the-intelligence-of-groups-it-forms-swarms/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [Swarms are one very simple way of keeping ourselves ahead of the machines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/swarms-are-one-very-simple-way-of-keeping-ourselves-ahead-of-the/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [Beyond individual intelligence, nature has also cultivated intelligence through swarms. For example, bees, birds and fish act in a more intelligent way when acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/beyond-individual-intelligence-nature-has-also-cultivated/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [A poll finds the average opinion of a group. It takes the temperature of a crowd. A swarm focuses a group together, in real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/a-poll-finds-the-average-opinion-of-a-group-it-takes-the-temperature/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [Tis no extravagant arithmetic to say, that for every ten jokes, thou hast got an hundred enemies; and till thou hast gone on, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/tis-no-extravagant-arithmetic-to-say-that-for-every-ten-jokes-thou/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [The implied threat of using nuclear weapons to curb guerrillas was as absurd as to talk of using a sledge hammer to ward off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/the-implied-threat-of-using-nuclear-weapons-to-curb-guerrillas-was-as/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [You want to stay alive in a zombie swarm? You go alone or in a small group, where everyone is of similar physical condition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/you-want-to-stay-alive-in-a-zombie-swarm-you-go-alone-or-in-a-small/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [Do you solemnly swear never to conceal a vital clue from the reader? Do you promise to observe seemly moderation in the use of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/do-you-solemnly-swear-never-to-conceal-a-vital-clue-from-the-reader/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [Each time a swarm of worries invades your mind, refuse to be affected; wait calmly, while seeking the remedy. Spray the worries with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/each-time-a-swarm-of-worries-invades-your-mind-refuse-to-be-affected/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [The legends of fieldwork locate all important sites deep in inaccessible jungles inhabited by fierce beasts and restless natives, and surrounded by miasmas of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/the-legends-of-fieldwork-locate-all-important-sites-deep-in/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, there a church of God exists, even if it swarms with many faults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/wherever-we-see-the-word-of-god-purely-preached-and-heard-there-a/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [When I go hear a man speak, I like to hear him speak like he's fighting a swarm of bees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/when-i-go-hear-a-man-speak-i-like-to-hear-him-speak-like-he-s/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Most startup companies have two people, and they figure out creative ways to swarm problems. They move faster and have more impact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-d-anthony/most-startup-companies-have-two-people-and-they-figure-out-creative/) [Scott D. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-d-anthony/) > [If the world goes crazy for a lovely fossil, that's fine with me. But if that fossil releases some kind of mysterious brain ray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-zimmer/if-the-world-goes-crazy-for-a-lovely-fossil-that-s-fine-with-me-but/) [Carl Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-zimmer/) ## More by Louis B. Rosenberg > [We developed a technology called artificial swarm intelligence, which is all about tapping the inherent knowledge, wisdom, intuition of groups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/we-developed-a-technology-called-artificial-swarm-intelligence-which/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [Politicians have conflicting values but not conflicting knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/politicians-have-conflicting-values-but-not-conflicting-knowledge/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [In computers, we do all kinds of manual manipulations. We grab and drag icons. We click on and open windows. We pull down a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/in-computers-we-do-all-kinds-of-manual-manipulations-we-grab-and-drag/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [You have the sense of touch because you need it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/you-have-the-sense-of-touch-because-you-need-it/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [Beyond individual intelligence, nature has also cultivated intelligence through swarms. For example, bees, birds and fish act in a more intelligent way when acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/beyond-individual-intelligence-nature-has-also-cultivated/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [Forcing polarized groups into a swarm allows them to find the answer that most people are satisfied with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/forcing-polarized-groups-into-a-swarm-allows-them-to-find-the-answer/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [We focus on a unique form of artificial intelligence called artificial swarm intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/we-focus-on-a-unique-form-of-artificial-intelligence-called/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [Swarm intelligence is like a brain of brains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/swarm-intelligence-is-like-a-brain-of-brains/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [When a species wants to tap the collective intelligence of a population, they don't take a poll; they don't take a vote. They form…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/when-a-species-wants-to-tap-the-collective-intelligence-of-a/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [Feel provides an important channel of information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/feel-provides-an-important-channel-of-information/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [Swarms are one very simple way of keeping ourselves ahead of the machines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/swarms-are-one-very-simple-way-of-keeping-ourselves-ahead-of-the/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [Taking a vote or poll is a great simple way to take a decision, but it doesn't help a group find consensus. It actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/taking-a-vote-or-poll-is-a-great-simple-way-to-take-a-decision-but-it/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [The long-term value of amplifying the intelligence of people is a lot more important than betting on sports.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/the-long-term-value-of-amplifying-the-intelligence-of-people-is-a-lot/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [We take the sense of touch for granted. Think about it: Without it, you're missing one of the basic senses that enables you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/we-take-the-sense-of-touch-for-granted-think-about-it-without-it-you/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [A swarm finds the solution people best agree upon. It optimizes collective support, whereas a poll tells us how we disagree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/a-swarm-finds-the-solution-people-best-agree-upon-it-optimizes/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) [Explore all 26 Louis B. Rosenberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) ## More Decision quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [“How can you make an informed decision about whether to save the world if you never leave your tiny part of it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-david-hutchinson/how-can-you-make-an-informed-decision-about-whether-to-save-the-world/) [Shaun David Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-david-hutchinson/) > [Love is the foundation from which your decisions about your life should be made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-the-foundation-from-which-your-decisions-about-your-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Indecision becomes decision with time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/indecision-becomes-decision-with-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you think of people as making decisions actively, every time we think about the cup of coffee, we say, "How much will I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/if-you-think-of-people-as-making-decisions-actively-every-time-we/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [It was a conscious decision on my part to take up fewer films. And if you're not seen that often on screen, nobody calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-lever/it-was-a-conscious-decision-on-my-part-to-take-up-fewer-films-and-if/) [Johnny Lever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-lever/) > [Decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/decision-is-a-risk-rooted-in-the-courage-of-being-free/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [I never think of things rationally or intellectually. I swear, every single decision I make is just instinct and my instincts tend to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neill-blomkamp/i-never-think-of-things-rationally-or-intellectually-i-swear-every/) [Neill Blomkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neill-blomkamp/) > [“it is either you happen to life or life happens to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sesan-kareem/it-is-either-you-happen-to-life-or-life-happens-to-you/) [Sesan Kareem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sesan-kareem/) > [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [In New York, you are constantly faced with this very urgent decision that you have to make, about every twenty minutes...you have to decide,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cross/in-new-york-you-are-constantly-faced-with-this-very-urgent-decision/) [David Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cross/) [Browse all 9,145 Decision quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The reason that fish form schools, birds form flocks, and bees form swarms is that they are smarter together than they would be apart. They don't take a vote; they don't take a poll: they form a system. They are all interactive and make a decision together in real time.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Louis B. 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