You Are Not So Smart

275 - Blight - Emily Monosson

Dec 11, 2023

47:18

Snipd AI

In this episode, Emily Monosson, an expert in deadly fungal infections, discusses the potential dangers of fungi and their impact on wildlife, crops, and humans. They explore the concept of cordyceps and its influence on 'The Last of Us', as well as the risk of a fungal pandemic. The chapter also highlights the diverse kingdom of fungi and the challenges of cleanliness in space.

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Quick takeaways

Climate change and human activity have played a role in the emergence and spread of deadly fungal pathogens, posing a significant challenge to healthcare and food production.

Fungal pathogens have caused devastation in ecosystems and pose a pressing concern due to their drug resistance, resilience, and ubiquitous presence.

Deep dives

Emergence of Candida auris: A Newly Emergent Fungal Pathogen

Candida auris is a newly emergent yeast that has raised concerns in the healthcare community due to its high mortality rate and resistance to antifungal drugs. It primarily affects immunocompromised individuals in long-term healthcare settings. The emergence of this pathogen in various parts of the world at the same time suggests an environmental origin. Climate change may have played a role in allowing this yeast to adapt to warmer temperatures, thus enabling it to infect humans. The overlap of the COVID-19 pandemic provided additional opportunities for the spread of Candida auris. This pathogen poses a significant challenge due to its drug resistance, resilience, and ability to spread through surface contact.

Introduction

4min

The Threat of Fungal Pathogens

10min

Fungal Spores and Pandemic Possibilities

3min

Language Learning Apps and a Special Offer!

5min

The Diverse Kingdom of Fungi

25min

Challenges of Maintaining Cleanliness and Preventing Contamination in Space

3min

Eating Liver and Mushrooms: Personal Experiences and Toxicology

5min

How likely is the fungal infection in The Last of Us? The one that takes over human brains and brings humanity to the brink of extinction, could something like that really happen?

In this episode we sit down with Emily Monosson, an expert on deadly fungal infections, and discuss the handful of fungi (we know of) that are today, right now, causing catastrophic declines in wildlife, eradicating trees, destroying crops, and increasingly impacting humans.

Monsoon explains that many in the field worry that fungi are an underestimated threat and that our actions are causing an increase in invasive and deadly fungal epidemics. We explore what is at stake, why this is happening now, and what we can do to prevent future outbreaks.

• Emily Monosson's Website

• Blight: Fungi and the Coming Pandemic

• 2013 Trailer for The Last of Us

• Newsletter

• How Minds Change

• David McRaney’s Twitter

• YANSS Twitter

• Show Notes