Networks: Chameleon versus Octopus
The Chameleon is a centralized network, where the brain consciously controls the chameleonās skin and decides what color it will be, in what patterns. The chameleonās skin does nothing without a signal from the brain, and must always wait for the brain to recognize a situation, reach a decision, and send a command.
The Octopus is a much more decentralized network. Thereās still a central brain, but much of the octopusā nervous system is spread throughout its body and even through its disposable tentacles. Every inch of its skin thinks for itself.
Why is the octopus built this way? Because thatās what gives it responsiveness and flexibility the chameleon cannot begin to approach.
Did you know that octopi are colorblind? Their eyeballs cannot see the colors their skin reproduces. So, how do they know what colors and patterns to mimic?
An octopus sees color through its skin. The skin itself has photoreceptors, which are connected directly to the color-changing organs in the tentacles through the neurons inside the tentacles. Therefore, the octopusā skin can instantly shift color to the objects immediately around it.
This renders the color-changing process as reflexive to the octopus as breathing; the central brain can assert control when the octopus wants, but otherwise the octopus can rest easy knowing that its body is taking care of itself on its own initiative. No part of its skin needs to wait for the brain to respond to input, render a decision, and send a command.
