We are not ants || Chúng ta không phải là kiến
After spending much of my free time observing the habits and behaviors of ants, and then comparing them to human society, I’ve come to some interesting observations and insights.
From the tiny trails in the garden to the underground cities they build, ants—these small creatures—have amazed the world with their organization, discipline, and collective strength.
Each ant, only a few millimeters long, tirelessly carries bits of food back to the nest.
No leaders, no pep talks, no questioning “What’s the meaning of life?”—they simply act, exactly as they were programmed to do from birth (or maybe they do wonder, I wouldn’t know—I’m not an ant =))).
They live as one single body (scientists call this a superorganism).
“Superorganism” is a term in biology and ecology that refers to an organism-like system where individual members are so closely integrated that they can be seen as a single entity. This is often observed in species like ants, bees, or other social organisms, where division of labor and cooperation among individuals create a complex social structure, almost equivalent to a living body.
They have no “I,” only “we.”
They operate under an extremely tight and intelligent division of labor, yet there’s no “president ant” in charge =)))
Many people think the queen ant is the “commander,” but in reality, she’s only responsible for reproduction. She doesn’t give orders or direct the others.
Worker ants, soldier ants, brood carers… each has its own role.
Every ant “knows” what to do through chemical signals (pheromones) they pass along. Things like: “There’s food over here,” or “This part of the nest needs fixing.”
No commands—only collective reactions. This system is called swarm intelligence—meaning that through simple interactions between individuals, the whole colony can act in surprisingly intelligent ways, without any leader at all.
But what about humans?
We, too, have lived in communities. We learn to cooperate, share, and build together.
But unlike ants, we have consciousness—a miraculous gift that is also a curse.
We know we are alive.
We know we are choosing.
And because we know, we begin to question:
“Why am I doing this? Is someone forcing me?”
“Am I truly living—or just repeating what others told me is right?”
Along with thousands of other why’s...
Human society: a sophisticated version of an ant colony?
From a young age, we are taught:
Study hard to be praised.
Go to university to get a degree.
Get an office job for a salary.
Marry at the “right” age. Buy a house. Have kids. Pay the mortgage. Retire.
No one forces us, yet almost everyone follows the same path.
An invisible pull drags us into the orbit of the majority—without warning.
Is there anything wrong with that? Not necessarily.
Because: Following the crowd is often safe, easy to fit in, and low-risk.
But is there a cost?
Absolutely.
You could spend your entire life living a life… that isn’t yours.
Here’s the key difference: Ants have no choice.
We do.
If an ant leaves the colony, it dies.
If a human leaves society, they can rewrite their own story.
Some dare to start a business, knowing it’s a path full of hardship.
Some quit their office jobs to paint, travel, and reflect.
Some never marry, but roam the world with just a backpack.
Some choose a slow, simple life instead of racing in the competition for success.
They may not get applause. But they live true to their own lives.
Following the crowd isn’t wrong—just don’t let the crowd live for you.
If you find joy in a stable life, then live it.
But if on certain nights you lie awake, hearing a voice inside asking “Who am I?” or “What am I doing with my life?”—don’t silence it.
Because we are not ants.
We have been given the greatest gift: the ability to ask—and the freedom to choose.
🩵 Choose for yourself > Take responsibility > Own your life > Stand on your own > Be free 🩵
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