Theres the possibility that because groups of insects aren't self aware, they can optimize their decision making, wheras humans optimize their decision making in a selfish manner, which results in less than optimal utility. Maybe the presence of a "group motive" in the generation of an optimal average number for say, "jelly beans" in moubassian, is the motivating factor, and ego isn't involved in the process. In the Markets, the effects of reflexivity, greed, etc add noise to the generation of an optimal outcome.
The had been done before and is nothing new. I dint remember the name I think openfund llc or something like that. The idea failed, of course