The important difference that separates us from the social insects is that they carry the instructions for nest building in their genes. We have no permanent ubiquitous record of our civilization from which to restore it should it fail. We would have to start again at the beginning. One that would serve also as a primary school science text. It would be the scientific equivalent of the Bible.
Modern media are more fallible instruments for long-term storage than was the spoken word.
They require the support of a sophisticated technology that we cannot take for granted. The public attitude toward science and scientists is consistently negative. The great irony is that the American economy and standard of living are based on a foundation of rapid scientific advances. If there is any arena in which the interface between the scientific community and society at large is of importance it is the education of the public, and especially the education of the young public. And perhaps no part of that arena in the US is of more consequence to many citizens than the attempt by certain groups to fashion the teaching of science according to preconceived religious views.