Ants and bees

I read an article that suggested we could learn a lot about living in community by watching bees and ants.  At first I thought that might be a good idea - then I was upset.  Colony insects like ants and bees are born into one occupation that is needed for the success of the colony. They never get to explore different occupations or pastimes.  They never get to expand and grow.  I don't want to be an ant or a bee.  We need strong communities, but we need individuals too - I think.