I'm not sure if I'm countering your point or supporting it, but I think a better example than trees is to point out how human cultures bear (and arguably, exist

I'm not sure if I'm countering your point or supporting it, but I think a better example than trees is to point out how human cultures bear (and arguably, exist as different entities because of) after effects of events beyond the lifespans of those impacted. Example: the American trend of "you must finish all the food on your plate" has long outlived its origins, and has been continued on not because people consciously choose to continue so much as they dont consciously choose to STOP passing it on. Any number of social events that are not universal (tipping, suburbs vs downtown as being prosperous, etc) can be examined this way, and our reasonable but unthinking reactions to events help define our cultures. If we arent being conscious of these choices, how is this memory any different than the ants?