Do you know when people gather together, their behavior can change simply because there are more people around? This phenomenon is seen in insects like locusts as well. 

Scientific research shows that locusts are typically solitary creatures. When only a few are present, they behave independently, making individual choices and movements. However, as their numbers increase, their behavior begins to change and the 10 to 15 locusts share a single square meter for several hours, the biological switch flips, and the swarm chain reaction begins.  If the number goes to 73.9 then the massive locust swarm is forming. The research shows physical contact between locust triggers the release of serotonin, which alters their nervous systems, behaviors, and even their coloration. This transformation, known as phase polyphenism, causes them to shift from isolated individuals into highly social, migratory groups — what we refer to as locust swarms.

Locust crises can be massive. For instance, in 1875, a Rocky Mountain locust swarm covered an estimated 198,000 square miles across North America , about the size of California, Oregon, and Washington combined! This swarm contained 12.5 trillion of locusts and devastated nearly every crop it encountered. They consumed fields, clothing, and even parts of buildings, leading to famine and widespread economic loss. That year, the United States lost nearly three-fourths of its total crop production. Locust swarms are intense natural events driven by population growth and environmental conditions.

The pressing questions are: when will this happen again, and how can we prevent it? The answer is monitoring the gathering. Monitoring hatching patterns is critical to preventing sudden, large-scale transformations. 
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​If somebody names something “snake oil,” do you know what it means? The term “snake oil” means a fraudulent remedy or scam. Let’s delve into a real story about its origin.

In the mid-1800s, Chinese laborers working on the American railroads brought with them a traditional remedy — oil made from Chinese water snakes. Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, it genuinely helped ease joint and muscle pain.

Curious Americans tried it, but soon, opportunistic salesmen started selling fake versions made of alcohol, turpentine, and spices, falsely claiming they could cure anything. In 1917, U.S. authorities tested Clark Stanley’s Snake Oil Liniment and found no snake oil at all.From that moment, “snake oil salesman” became a byword for fraud and false promises. Ironically, the original Chinese snake oil worked — it was the imitation that turned it into a joke.

​So when someone says, “That’s snake oil,” they’re not talking about medicine, but about anything too good to be true.
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​"If you want to know how the road looks, ask the people who have come back." One day, we went hiking at Crater Lake and were preparing to descend into the crater to see the lake up close. As we walked down, we realized the 2-mile trail can go almost 700 feet deep to the bottom! We began to question how difficult it would be to make the round trip back up. While we were contemplating this, we saw people returning from the hike. Many of them appeared extremely exhausted and were struggling to catch their breath. Many of them kept asking us how far it was to the top.

After assessing our capabilities, we stopped and waited for our stronger friends to return and share some pictures with us. In other words, if you have the opportunity to observe people who have already experienced what you want to experience, take the time to learn from them. It is priceless.

In 2014, the French rail operator SNCF (The Société nationale des chemins de fer français) was investigated for its €15 billion purchase of 1,860 regional trains. During the investigation, no one thought to ask whether the platform measurements were universal. This resulted in finding out that the trains were too wide for 1,300 older stations, a mistake that cost €50 million to fix. ​ (Source)

It is crucial to confidently express and defend our views to avoid failure. However, various examples tell us why this is so important. 

One of the main reasons is the influence of culture. On August 6, 1997, Korean Air Flight 801, a Boeing 747, crashed while attempting to land at Guam International Airport. The crash resulted in the deaths of 228 out of the 254 people on board. The flight crew did communicate their concerns about challenging weather conditions and altitude issues. However, due to hierarchical cultures, they did not insist on their opinion, and the captain's confidence led to no adherence to safety protocols, which contributed to the tragic crash.

Similarly, NASA engineers were concerned about the O-rings' performance during the Space Shuttle Challenger's launch in cold weather. However, they failed to communicate their reservations with confidence to higher-ups. Despite their concerns, the launch proceeded in freezing temperatures, leading to the O-rings' failure and the tragic explosion of the Challenger in 1986, resulting in the loss of seven astronauts' lives.

In addition, many financial institutions had concerns about the growing subprime mortgage market bubble before the 2008 financial crisis. However, these concerns were not adequately addressed due to a lack of confidence in voicing their concerns and a culture of risk-taking. This lack of confidence in raising red flags contributed to the global financial crisis, leading to economic turmoil and recession.

Hence, knowing when and how to express our opinions confidently and insistently, with enough data or evidence to back them up, is essential. This will help prevent disasters caused by hesitation and lack of communication.