In this episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, we’re joined by researcher Josh Fisher to explore the captivating, creepy, and sometimes comical world of animal swarms. From biblical plagues and Hitchcock’s The Birds to surprisingly vindictive crows, we dive deep into the science, psychology, and symbolism behind swarming behavior. We look at how swarms have appeared across history, religion, fiction, and film, uncovering the patterns that unite everything from buzzing bees to coordinated chaos in horror cinema. It’s a mix of science, storytelling, and a touch of speculation, all flying at you in this episode’s swirling dive into the natural world.
And don’t forget to Order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!
The Scientist Article Featuring Joe: How Speculative Fiction Expands Scientific Horizons
It’s Science for Weirdos
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We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):
Have you ever had a run-in with a swarm—whether birds, bees, ants, or even crowds of people?
What’s your favorite fictional depiction of a swarm from books, movies, or games
Did this episode change how you think about animal group behavior?
Are you afraid of a goose on the loose?
Future Episodes & Events
Episodes:
EP44: H20MG: Lake Michigan, Life, and Everything in Between
Releases September 17
Cultural critic and writer Maud Lavin joins us to explore Lake Michigan as biome, metaphor, and muse. We dive into the intersections of ecology, identity, politics, memory, and myth.
EP45-47: Three exciting episodes planned for our October month of Horror!
Events:
Nothing Scheduled.
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Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!
Show Notes & Fun facts
Crows and magpies can remember faces and hold grudges — even years after an interaction, some birds will seek revenge on humans they see as threats.
The 1961 bird incident in Monterey Bay inspired Hitchcock’s The Birds — the real event involved seabirds disoriented by domoic acid, a natural neurotoxin.
Locusts change color and behavior when they swarm — solitary grasshoppers become hyper-social when triggered by environmental density and food availability.
Bees swarm not to attack but to relocate — swarming bees are usually at their least aggressive as they search for a new hive.
Ancient literature, including The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Iliad, used swarms to represent overwhelming natural or divine forces — proving that our fear and fascination with swarms is as old as storytelling itself.
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Welcome to the Rabbit Hole of Research
Host dives into the intriguing world of swarms, setting the stage for nature-meets-nightmare conversation.
00:44 – Introducing the Guest: Josh’s Wildlife Experience
Josh Fisher shares his background in wildlife biology and fascination with mass animal behavior.
01:45 – Defining Animal Swarms
The duo explores what qualifies as a “swarm,” from coordinated movement to emergent intelligence.
03:18 – Human Crowd Dynamics
Josh draws fascinating parallels between animal swarms and human behavior at concerts and sports events.
07:49 – Swarming in Fiction: The Birds
Discussion of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, its psychological themes, and real-life inspiration from a 1961 bird incident.
15:05 – Real-World Bird Attacks
Anecdotes of bird aggression, from swooping crows in Arizona to birds that hold grudges.
16:28 – The Fascinating World of Animal Group Names
They highlight collective nouns like “murder of crows” and “asylum of loons” as linguistic gems.
19:12 – The Threat of Swarming Insects
The conversation shifts to insect swarms in fiction and real life, with bees and wasps taking the spotlight.
19:31 – The Lifecycle of Honeybees
Josh explains how swarming is part of the natural reproductive cycle of honeybee colonies.
21:01 – The Menace of Killer Bees
They debunk some myths and discuss how Africanized bees behave differently when swarming.
23:22 – Locusts: Biblical and Real Threats
Locusts get the deep-dive treatment, from ancient plagues to modern agricultural devastation.
27:01 – Cicadas: The Periodical Swarmers
Cicadas are explored as non-threatening swarmers with odd life cycles.
28:27 – Cicadas: Nature’s Buffet
The team discusses how animals feast on emerging cicadas and how humans have joined the buffet.
30:04 – Cicada Recipes and Culinary Adventures
Yes, there are cicada tacos—and Josh has thoughts.
31:26 – B-Movie Horror: Ticks and Swarms
The episode detours into creature features and 80s horror tropes involving ticks and swarms.
32:38 – Rats and Historical Plagues
Rats are examined not just for their role in the Black Death but also as modern urban swarmers.
36:48 – Zombie Swarms in Pop Culture
From World War Z to The Last of Us, zombie swarms offer both metaphors and cinematic terror.
38:15 – The Science of Zombie Speed
They explore how real animal behavior may have inspired fast-moving zombies in fiction.
40:07 – Ancient Swarm Stories
Early literary and mythological references to swarming are unpacked—from Exodus to Ovid.
46:01 – Favorite Swarm Scenarios
Josh and the host playfully imagine their favorite (and least favorite) swarm scenarios.
50:55 – Living with Nature: Anecdotes and Advice
The episode wraps with a thoughtful conversation on coexisting with the swarmers around us.
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