

#1959
Mentioned in 13 episodes
The Light Eaters
How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth
Book • 2024
In 'The Light Eaters,' Zoë Schlanger delves into the world of plant intelligence, challenging our understanding of agency, consciousness, and intelligence.
The book takes readers on a global journey, highlighting the remarkable abilities of plants, such as their adaptive techniques, communicative abilities, and social behaviors.
Schlanger works closely with scientists to uncover the latest epiphanies in botanical research, revealing how plants have formed a parallel system of intelligence that is distinct from human and animal intelligence.
The book is a blend of science journalism, travelogue, and introspective journey, offering a fresh and transformative understanding of plants and their essential role in the ecosystem.
The book takes readers on a global journey, highlighting the remarkable abilities of plants, such as their adaptive techniques, communicative abilities, and social behaviors.
Schlanger works closely with scientists to uncover the latest epiphanies in botanical research, revealing how plants have formed a parallel system of intelligence that is distinct from human and animal intelligence.
The book is a blend of science journalism, travelogue, and introspective journey, offering a fresh and transformative understanding of plants and their essential role in the ecosystem.
Mentioned by























Mentioned in 13 episodes
Mentioned by 

, who interviews the author for her documentary series and praises the poetic and beautiful title.


Annaka Harris

989 snips
#927 - Annaka Harris - Unpacking The Mystery Of Consciousness
Mentioned by 

as a stunning book about plants and science.


Seth Klarman

255 snips
Seth Klarman - Contrarian Investing, Discipline, and Building Baupost
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a recent book providing storytelling about the science of plant cognition.

Robin Wall Kimmerer

92 snips
The Antidote To Not-Enoughness | Robin Wall Kimmerer
Mentioned by 

as a book he is reading about plant intelligence.


Eric Zimmer

39 snips
The Path to Inexplicable Joy: How Self-Friendship Can Change Everything with Susan Piver
Mentioned by 

as a book about plants that eat light and have an intelligence far greater than almost anybody understands.


Seth Klarman

37 snips
Seth Klarman on finding value and maintaining discipline
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in a discussion about plant consciousness and the vitriolic reactions of some biologists to the concept of plant behavior.

Alexander Beiner

34 snips
What Truly Matters? Iain McGilchrist, Un-Social Experiments and The Leviathan
Mentioned by 

as a book about the new science of plant intelligence and cognition.


Michael Shermer

17 snips
Who Counts? Ethics in the Treatment of Animals and AI
Recommended by 

for those interested in further research on plants' ability to detect sound.


Annaka Harris

13 snips
PREVIEW: CHAPTER 4: Plants and Parasites
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

at the end of the podcast as a book about plant intelligence.

Avi Cooper

107 - The Smell of the Rain
Mentioned by Aisha Shah as the subject of tonight's talk.

236. Zoë Schlanger with Brooke Jarvis: The Light Eaters
Written by 

, detailing the new science of plant intelligence.


Zoë Schlanger

Plant Intelligence
Mentioned by 

as a book written by Zoe Slanger, discussing cutting-edge botany and the plant world.


Paul Hawken

Paul Hawken: A Love Letter to the Flow of Life
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

and 

while discussing plant intelligence and its implications for our relationship with the living world.

Emmanuel Vaughn Lee


Zoë Schlanger

The World Is a Prism, Not a Window – A Conversation with with Zoë Schlanger
Recommended by ![undefined]()

for its compelling writing style and exploration of plant intelligence.

Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo

Booksellers’ Best 2024
Mentioned by Zoe Schlanger as a popular book using plants as metaphors for ethics.

Jacob Erickson: Emerging Trends in Theology & Ethics
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as the author of the book discussed in the podcast.

Justine Paradis

The not-so-secret life of plants
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book she is currently reading.

Rebecca Heisman

Rebecca Heisman, "Flight Paths: How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration" (Harper, 2025)
Recommended by 

for its insights into plant intelligence.


Carissa Carter

Assembling Tomorrow with Scott Doorley & Carissa Carter from the Stanford d.school
Recommended by 

as a great read on botany and plant communication.


Paul Hawken

Paul Hawken: Carbon, Climate, and Humanity
Mentioned by 

as a book about plant intelligence.


Terry Gross

Remembering Writer Paul Auster