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Scientists theorise that the Earth may be an intelligent entity

Pointing to evidence that fungi is communicating underground to suggest that large-scale networks of life could ‘form a vast, invisible planetary intelligence,’ a group of astrobiologists are asking the thought-provoking question: if a planet like Earth can be ‘alive,’ can it also have a mind of its own?

‘Conventionally, intelligence is seen as a property of individuals. However, it is also known to be a property of collectives,’ reads the introduction to a paper published in the International Journal of Astrobiology that explores the thought-provoking question: is the Earth itself an intelligent entity?

Pointing to evidence that fungi is communicating underground to suggest that large-scale networks of life could ‘form a vast, invisible planetary intelligence,’ the analysis’ authors (astrophysicist Adam Frank, astrobiologist David Grinspoon, and theoretical physicist Sara Walker) present the idea that if a planet like Earth can be ‘alive,’ it may also have a mind of its own.

This isn’t as outlandish a theory as it seems, given that we now know mushrooms are not only able to interact…