I’m the only one in my family that doesn’t like roller coasters. Terrified of them. My husband and three kids love them. My youngest used to stand on tippy-toe in order to try to get past the height restrictions at Six Flags. When we went to Disney World last spring, the kids convinced me to come with them on one of those horrible rides that simulate an elevator plummeting six floors. Then they talked my husband into actually purchasing the snapshot the computer took of us–you know, the ones they post as you exit? That cost $95.00 or so?  It shows the four of them with expressions of sheer joy, and then me, my face all scrunched up with terror, waiting to be dashed to pieces alongside my loved ones. The kids think it’s a hilarious picture, of course.

According to an article in a recent issue of Science (9 March 2012) entomologists have discovered that honey bee scouts–the daredevil bees that consistently explore new environments for food–have differently-wired brains than their nonscout hive-mates. The researchers found massive differences in over 1,000 genes in the bees’ brains. Some of these genes bear a striking resemblance to similar molecular pathways that have been attributed to thrill-seeking in humans.

What does this say about my thrill-seeking family? They may have evolved their speed-loving, coaster-riding behavioral traits in very similar ways to the scout-bees. What does this say about bees? The study adds to the growing evidence that insects (and other non-human species) have quite individualized personalities. What does this say about me? Whatever. I’ll take a good book over a roller coaster any day.

All right. Fine. Here’s the picture. We’re in the front row. Go ahead and laugh.