Factually! with Adam Conover

Your Houseplants Can Think with Zoë Schlanger

Jun 12, 2024

Author Zoë Schlanger enlightens us on the intriguing world of plant intelligence, discussing how plants store information, solve problems, develop social networks, and exhibit adaptive behaviors. The conversation challenges human-centric views, exploring concepts like plant communication, kin recognition, and adaptive behavior. It delves into the moral implications of recognizing plant intelligence and its potential impact on dietary choices and legal perspectives.

01:05:57

Episode guests

Zoë Schlanger

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Plants exhibit complex intelligence by problem-solving and forming social networks.

Plants communicate through chemical signals to warn and protect each other.

Plants display memory and adaptability, adjusting responses based on past experiences.

Deep dives

Plants Show Remarkable Intelligence in Adapting to Harsh Conditions

Plants exhibit a high level of intelligence in their ability to survive and thrive in challenging environments. They can make decisions, communicate with each other, recognize kin, and adjust to unique circumstances. For instance, plants can attract insects to protect themselves, showcasing strategic thinking and adaptation. These active functions in plants highlight their complex capabilities beyond what is commonly perceived.

Intro

5min

Exploring Plant Intelligence and Adaptations

8min

The Sentience and Communication of Houseplants

18min

Exploring Plant Communication and Chemical Signaling

4min

Kin Recognition in Plants

5min

Plant Intelligence and Adaptive Behavior

8min

Exploring Plant Intelligence and Communication

21min

Exploring Vines Growth on Buildings and Plant Blindness Reflection

2min

Our understanding of intelligence is always growing, but recent research has thrown a fascinating curveball: we're discovering that plants are intelligent too. Though they might not look like creatures we typically describe as intelligent, plants can store information, solve problems, and develop complex social networks. This week, Adam sits with Zoë Shlanger, author of The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth, to explore this galaxy-brain concept of plant intelligence and what it means for how we see all life and our place in the world. Find Zoë's book at factuallypod.com/books

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