Window to the World, calling for Wind of Wisdom, as common sense is a gift to each soul, as common environment is the inseparable planet, as common desire is to live in a better world.
The unseen intelligence of mushrooms: “they have memories, they learn, and they can make decisions.”
No Brains, No Problem: The Surprising Intelligence of Fungi “You’d be surprised at just how much fungi are capable of,” remarks Yu Fukasawa of Tohoku University, “They have memories, they learn, and they can make decisions. Quite frankly, the differences in how they solve problems compared to humans is mind-blowing.”
Fungi grow by releasing spores, which can germinate and form long, spidery threads underground (a mycelium). We typically only see the tiny mushrooms on the surface without realizing that there’s a vast network of interconnected mycelium beneath our feet. It is through this network that information can be shared, somewhat like neural connections in the brain.
The present study examined how a wood-decaying mycelial network responded to two different situations: wood blocks placed in a circle versus cross arrangement. For example, if the fungi didn’t display decision-making skills, they would simply spread out from a central point without consideration for the position of the blocks. Remarkably, this is not what the researchers witnessed.
For the cross arrangement, the degree of connection was greater in the outermost four blocks. It was hypothesized that this was because the outermost blocks can serve as “outposts” for the mycelial network to embark in foraging expeditions, therefore more dense connections were required. In the circle arrangement, the degree of connection was the same at any given block. However, the dead center of the circle remained clear. It was proposed that the mycelial network did not see a benefit in overextending itself in an already well-populated area.
These findings suggest that the mycelial network was able to communicate information about its surroundings throughout the entire network, and change its direction of growth accordingly based on the shape.
Fungi can think and make smart decisions without a brain How does an organism without a brain exhibit signs of intelligence? The answer lies in their intricate network of mycelium – long, spidery threads that fungi use to grow. Most people only see the tiny mushrooms sprouting above the ground and are oblivious to the extensive network that lies beneath.
Believe it or not, fungi have memories. They learn and make critical decisions. They’re out here solving problems in ways that are so unique, it boggles the mind. Who would have thought that these small, often overlooked organisms could teach us so much? It’s a testament to the wonders of nature and how much more we’ve got to learn.
So the next time you see a mushroom growing in your garden, remember there’s a lot more than meets the eye. These tiny organisms are making decisions, sharing information and solving problems – all without a brain.
