(ORDO NEWS) — A team of researchers set up a fascinating—and downright mind-blowing—thought experiment: if a planet like Earth could be “alive,” could it have a mind of its own?
The corresponding article , exploring the issue of “planetary intelligence” and the idea of collective consciousness, was published in the scientific journal International Journal of Astrobiology.
Although it all seems a little too fantastic, the authors of the study believe that this concept can really help us cope with global problems such as climate change, or even bring us closer to the discovery of extraterrestrial life.
The collective activity of microbes, plants and animals has changed the planet Earth
Looking at their own concept, the researchers point to the fact that mushrooms, for example, form extensive underground networks that allow them to “communicate”. It is likely that the flora and fauna of the earth have long been part of the planetary mind, which influences the state of the entire Earth.
Scientists note that today one of the main species that have a negative impact on the Earth are people who are capable of causing irreparable damage to the environment.
“We don’t yet have the capacity to collectively respond in the best interest of the planet,” said Adam Frank , a professor of physics at the University of Rochester and co-author of the study.
The researchers believe that such thought experiments can help people understand their impact on the Earth and serve as a guide on how to correct the situation. In addition, they also believe that it can help in the search for aliens.
“We believe that the only technological [ET] civilizations that we can ever find — the ones that we have to find — are those that have not destroyed themselves,” Frank added.
“That means they must have reached the stage of true planetary intelligence.”
“The strength of this study is that it brings together what we need to know to survive the climate crisis,” Frank said. “This [climate crisis] can happen on any planet where life and intelligence develop.”
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