Underbug: An Obsessive Tale of Termites and Technology

Who has the answer to the world’s fuel problems? How can we bring ruined land back to life? Where do roboticists turn when they try to engineer a hive mind?

Termites.

Strange though it may seem, scientists are looking to these much-reviled insects as little guides to the biggest of ideas. Lisa Margonelli follows them to find out how termites could change the world.

A masterpiece of popular science, Underbug touches on everything from metaphysical meditation, technological innovation and the psychology of obsession to good old-fashioned biology.