Climate journalist Zoë Schlanger discusses the fascinating science behind plant intelligence in her book 'The Light Eaters'. Plants can store memories, communicate with each other, and trick animals. The podcast also reviews the new Netflix series 'A Man in Full' starring Jeff Daniels and Diane Lane.
Plants exhibit complex communication, memory storage, and defense mechanisms, challenging traditional views of intelligence.
Plants demonstrate sophisticated responses to stimuli like releasing chemicals to deter predators, highlighting their intricate survival strategies.
Deep dives
Plants' Intelligence Debates and Insights
Research debates on plant intelligence challenge conventional understanding, showing that plants communicate, recognize each other, store memories, and exhibit an ability to learn. Botanists are exploring the concept of plants having agency, indicating control over their destinies without needing consciousness. The discussion extends to the possibility of plants having a nervous system and the capacity to respond to stimuli like touch, showcasing sophisticated defense mechanisms against predators.
Plants' Response to Stimuli and Defensive Mechanisms
Plants exhibit remarkable responses to stimuli, such as emitting volatile signals when touched, suggesting sensitivity to their environment. While lacking pain receptors, plants show defensive behaviors like emitting chemicals to deter predators or even attracting parasitic wasps to combat threats. Examples include plants encouraging cannibalism in caterpillars and selectively emitting chemicals based on predators' saliva to protect themselves.
The Intriguing Notion of Plants as a 'Big Brain'
Exploring the concept of plants acting as a 'big brain,' researchers ponder if plants possess a distributed sensing system rather than a centralized brain-like structure. Observations of plants mimicking other foliage and exhibiting coordinated responses lead to debates on the definition of intelligence and consciousness in plants. This hypothesis challenges traditional views and underscores the complexity of plant behavior beyond conventional understanding.
Ethical Considerations in Farming and Plant Communication
Discussions on ethical farming practices intersect with newfound insights into plant communication, emphasizing plants' ability to defend themselves with intricate strategies. Researchers advocate for harnessing plants' natural defense mechanisms through technology, reducing reliance on pesticides. Interactions between plants and insects reveal intricate relationships, showcasing plants' capacity to manipulate and collaborate with other species for survival and reproduction.
Climate journalist Zoë Schlanger explains the fascinating science behind how plants learn, communicate, and adapt to survive. She says plants can store memories, trick animals into not eating them, and even send alarm calls to other plants. Her new book is called The Light Eaters.
TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new Netflix series A Man in Full, starring Jeff Daniels and Diane Lane.