The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth

Anthropocentrism centralizes the human experience over that of other species. Some scientists argue that calling plants “intelligent” or “conscious” is a form of anthropocentrism, indicating a compulsion to impose human qualities on plants. Critics argue that anthropocentrism leads to environmental degradation. By prioritizing human experience, animal welfare and resources can be exploited for human advantage.

Cyanobacteria is a group of photosynthetic bacteria that play an important role in the earth’s ecosystem and evolutionary history. These bacteria, sometimes referred to as “blue-green algae,” are responsible for converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into oxygen and sugar through photosynthesis.

Eusocial is a term that describes social organization in animal species in which individuals participate in a collective structure to emphasize the collective’s success. Plants, bees, and humans all exhibit eusocial behavior. Schlanger argues that plants can also be eusocial, sharing resources and ensuring the efficiency and survival of the entire group.

Genome describes the genetic material (DNA or RNA) found in organisms. The genome contains the genes and non-coding sequences that contain necessary information for life, development, reproduction, and organic functioning.

The question of intelligence is at the core of Schlanger’s work. Although she never offers a singular definition for the term, she points to several factors that may contribute to intelligence and suggests that plants, like humans, have intelligence. Some of these factors include social behavior, communication, sensing, and memory.

The ladder of life, or scala naturae, is a hierarchical structure created by the Greek philosopher Aristotle. In this classification of living organisms, Aristotle positions humans at the topic, suggesting they are the most complex and intelligent species on the planet. Plants are positioned on the lowest rung of the ladder, far removed from any conceptualization of intelligence.

Mendel genetics refers to scientist Gregor Mendel’s discovery that provided the basis for the future field of genetics. In the 19th century, Mendel used pea plants to show that traits can be inherited. Mendelian genetics helped develop an understanding of how traits, even human traits like height and eye color, are passed from generation to generation.

Network theory is directly related to Schlanger’s exploration of ecology. The term refers to an interdisciplinary framework used to explore how different systems intersect and impact one another. This theory contrasts traditional education modes that separate disciplines. For example, science is divided into fields like biology, chemistry, environmental science, etc. Network theory combines these seemingly disparate fields to show how they work together and function as part of a whole.

Botanists use the term “plant blindness” to describe how humans often fail to notice plants and their significance to the environment and human life. Lack of funding and new research in botany is sometimes said to be a result of plant blindness.

Phytoacoustics is a specific term used to describe the sounds produced by plants or the way plants respond to sounds in the environment. Schlanger uses examples of phytoacoustics in her study of electrical waves and how plants sense the world around them. For example, plants can sense the buzzing of bees or thunder.

This term refers to plants’ process of synthesizing light, water, and carbon dioxide into chemical energy in the form of glucose. Photosynthesis is responsible for transforming the planet’s otherwise inhospitable atmosphere into an oxygen-rich one that supports a numerous lifeforms.