Merlin Sheldrake

There are arguments that human consciousness arose from psychedelic fungi. And that the start of human civilization was in pursuit of beer (curtesy of yeast). Whether that’s true or not matters less than the fact that fungi are at the center of everything. They feed the plant we eat, they break down the food we digest, and when we die, they turn us back into soil.

We humans tend to think of ourselves as the smartest around, but fungi are just as smart. We express our intelligence with our actions, but fungi express it with their biology, creating new chemicals through complex mycelial networks. These fascinating organisms can be the solution to so many of our world’s problems.

This book is scientific and philosophic. It makes you think, but not too hard. Theres a strong narrative, but with lots of interesting anecdotes. In the time it’s taken me to finish this book, I’ve gone from an indifferent observer to an aspiring mycophile. Can’t recommend this book enough.
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