An individual ant appears to
possess little intelligence. But, working as a whole, an ant colony displays an
impressive level of intelligence. In a recent article published in the
International Journal of Astrobiology, Adam Frank, a Professor of Physics and
Astronomy at the University of Rochester, and his colleagues David Grinspoon at
the Planetary Science Institute and Sara Walker at Arizona State University
published a “thought experiment.” They looked at the Earth as a collective
whole of all the processes and activity on and within our planet.
Collectively, they claim, all of the
biological, geological, meteorological, plus all human activity together create
what they refer to as “planetary intelligence.” If we want to tackle global
issues such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, or pollution, we must
treat Earth as a living and intelligent entity.
In the paper, they state, “The
consideration of intelligence in astrobiological studies has tended to regard
it solely as the property of one or more species which evolve on a planet and
then go on to create a technological civilization rather than as a collective
property existing in groups of organisms or societies.” This is the wrong way
to look at intelligence on a planet. Just as with an ant colony, the
researchers say we must “broaden the view of intelligence by taking a planetary
view of its appearance and effect.” We must look at the complete “planetary
intelligence” of our planet, taking into account all feedback systems that
exist on and within it.
As an example of planetary
intelligence, before human intelligence emerged, Frank cites studies that show
how the roots of the trees in a forest connect through networks of underground
fungi known as mycorrhizal networks. This acts as a kind of nervous system
allowing communication between separated parts of the forest. If one part needs
more nutrients, healthy regions send the distressed section extra nutrients
through this “nerve” network.
Frank states that we now live in an
“Immature technosphere.” We possess interlinked systems of communication,
transportation, technology, electricity, and computers. But it is immature
because we humans have not integrated into our planet’s other systems. In a
“Mature Technosphere,” which he says should be our goal, our technological
systems benefit the entire planet without harming the biosphere.
The researchers state we can use
this analysis to study alien planets to see what level of planetary
intelligence they possess, possibly leading to another means of locating
intelligent alien beings.
Each month, I write an astronomy-related column piece for
the Oklahoman newspaper. On the
following day, I post that same column to my blog page.
