Is it true that slime molds exhibit intelligence?

by Mike
(Sheffield, UK)

QUESTION:

I’m on a deep dive into all things fungi, and loving it! One of the things I’ve bumped into is the idea of fungi having intelligence. It’s a fascinating idea, but I’m not sure I believe fungi can actually be intelligent. Doesn’t intelligence imply the act of thinking?

Mike


ANSWER:

Great question. And I guess the answer is yes and no. If nothing else, fungi are making us rethink the whole concept of intelligence.

Fungi, particularly certain types of slime molds like Physarum polycephalum, exhibit remarkable problem-solving abilities and behaviors that have intrigued scientists and challenged our understanding of intelligence.

Although fungi lack a nervous system or brain, they do demonstrate a form of decentralized intelligence that allows them to adapt to their environment, find optimal solutions to problems, and even learn from past experiences.

Slime molds are a prime example of this phenomenon. When searching for food, slime molds can navigate complex mazes, efficiently finding the shortest path to a nutrient source. This behavior suggests an ability to process information and make decisions based on environmental cues.

What makes this even more fascinating is that the slime mold achieves this without any central control system; instead, it relies on the collective behavior of its cells.

Researchers have conducted experiments where slime molds were exposed to repeated challenges, such as navigating a maze or finding food in varying conditions. Over time, these organisms "learned" to avoid obstacles or find the most efficient route, demonstrating a kind of memory and learning process. This has led to discussions about the potential for fungi and other simple organisms to possess a form of primitive intelligence.

The implications of fungal intelligence extend beyond academic curiosity. Understanding how fungi solve problems could inspire new approaches in fields like robotics, artificial intelligence, and network optimization.

This is a fun area to explore. Quite the rabbit hole!

Best wishes,

Nick