Group Intelligence performed live at Emory University April 14th 2011

Group Intelligence is a flash mob-inspired performance converging science and art created by a partnership between the NSF/NASA Center for Chemical Evolution, Atlanta's Out of Hand Theater and The Lunatics, a theater group from The Netherlands.

Following cues on from a provided MP3 track, participants transform into performers and a spontaneous spectacle unfolds for onlookers.

During the experience, participants travel together, solve problems, do a little work, have a lot of fun, build something extraordinary together and ultimately, achieve Group Intelligence. How hard they work is up to each individual, but the diversity of the group is key.

Out of Hand collaborates with leading scientists, making new events inspired by new discoveries. In celebration the 2011 International Year of Chemistry, and partnering with the National Science Foundation/NASA Center for Chemical Evolution, Group Intelligence explores the vital issues of global water scarcity and origins of life chemistry.

Combining the spontaneity of a flash mob, the confusion and thrill of MP3 cues, and a real live experiment in molecular self assembly, order will arise from chaos; Group Intelligence is an entertaining experience that just might blow your mind.

After each performance, participants and onlookers can view their experiment and find out more about the science behind it as they watch their performance shared with the world online at http://www.outofhandtheater.com/groupintelligence/performances

Scientists are closer than ever before to answering the question, How did life begin? They now know that molecules self assemble, just like groups of people. In fact, the complex structures of biology seem remarkably, almost magically, to self assemble without assistance, forming everything from RNA to multicellular organisms like plants, animals and people. All life is made of molecules behaving cooperatively, creating group intelligence, and diversity is necessary for molecules to survive and behave intelligently. Life lessons from chemistry. Find out more about the origins of life at Exploring Life's Origins' website.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• origin of life
• flash mob
• flashmob
• flash-mob
• emory university
• emory
• out of hand theater
• lunatics
• atlanta
• science
• theater
• performance
• public