[MAXPOOL]

Humanity as a whole as problem solving algorithm might be similar to particle swarm in very complex neighbourhoods and topologies.

Particles (individual humans or small groups) move around in problem space as particles with position and velocity. Each individual's movement is influenced by its best known position locally but also the the best known global positions in the search-space. When better positions are found by others, individual change their course (take hints) and move towards them.

The problems would be the same. Too much randomness and it's just a random search. Too much convergence leads to local optimums.