Astronomers Discuss the Gaia Hypothesis

  

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.

Four stages of Planetary Intelligence. Earth is currently at the Immature Technosphere level.

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.

 This is reprinted by permission from the Oklahoman and www.Oklahoman.com.