How do you define intelligence?
Is it the ability to make tools? To reason out the solution to a problem?
I have been alerted today to the publication of a fascinating book, which almost sounds Star Trek-y in its depiction of the vast and mysterious intelligence living beneath our feet: fungi.
Fungi can colonize bare rock or thrive in a rich forest, or even the walls of your home. A fungal organism can live for thousands of years, be the size of a pinpoint or cover entire acres. They create partnerships with plants and even with viruses, and according to this author, they can possess a sentient awareness of their environment.
The linked article below certainly will get you to rethink these mysterious, ancient and essential "beings" -- neither plant nor animal.
http://www.thesunmagazine.org/_media/article/pdf/386_Stamets.pdf
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Intelligence beneath your feet
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3 comments:
fascinating... I will check it out. ty
And......some fungi are ever so tasty too! :)
But it is amazing when they form large single organisms.
"But it is amazing when they form large single organisms."
Yes, isn't it! LGS!
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