Do Bean Plants Show Intelligence?

[n2doc]

Last week, in our World Changers Issue, Michael Pollan wrote about the growing field of plant neurobiology and the ways that plants seem to exhibit intelligence, intention, and even choice. Pollan explains that our perception of plant intelligence is hindered by our own sense of time, and that “time-lapse photography is perhaps the best tool we have to bridge the chasm between the time scale at which plants live and our own.”

In this video, Pollan considers time-lapse videos of bean plants searching for a metal pole to climb. Even before the plants reach the pole, they seem to “know” where it is and to try to wrap around it. One plant even seems to cede a pole to another plant that found it first. Some question whether these videos show “plant intelligence,” but the footage is compelling, regardless.

video at link

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/12/video-do-bean-plants-show-intelligence.html

[Sienna86]

1. Fascinating.

Something to think about.

[arcane1]

2. I hope not! I plan to grow a bunch of beans on my balcony next year.

I don't need the guilt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. They are probably at least as smart as most GOP members of Congress.

[Marie Marie]

6. Nope - probably smarter.

I'm thinking Gohmert & Bachmann...

[theHandpuppet]

8. Well, they emit about as much gas

The GOP could use a huge dose of Bean-O.

[CFLDem]

4. Plants can be pretty smart

Like a grove of acacia trees telling each other to close their leaves when a giraffe decides to nibble on one, or like oak trees communicating how to make a new insecticide when attacked by pests.

Plants are definitely more alive than we give them credit for.

[libodem]

5. I love this

Humans seem quick to dismiss the intelligence of other creatures and plants. Nature is amazing. Wow!

[Warren DeMontague]

7. I remain unconvinced

[mindquaker]

9. An informative documentary on this subject

[Gore1FL]

12. Cool. Thanks for the link. n/t

[qazplm]

10. I for one

welcome our bean overlords.

[eShirl]

11. Well vegans, what now? Fruitarianism?