From the Bookshelf of Science and Inquiry…

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

Zoë Schlanger

Start date: July 1, 2025

Finish date: July 31, 2025

Discussion: Book Club 2025

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Book Club 2025

October 2025 - Everything is Tuberculosis
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What Members Thought

Jul 21, 2025 David Rubenstein rated it it was amazing

Shelves: biology, evolution, science

Are plants intelligent? Numerous botanists are investigating the behaviors of plants, some of which are totally unexpected. Several species of plants synthesize chemicals that don't directly affect their insect predators. Instead, they synthesize chemicals that attract the predators of its insect predators!

There is a lot of plant research going on, that is gradually reshaping the way we think of plants. It has been found that playing a series of audible tones for a number of days can improve th ...more

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Jun 07, 2024 taylor rated it it was amazing

Humans tend to anthropomorphize. For god sake people bought pet rocks, and no your cat is not planning on murdering you. The author is familiar with this risk, but make a solid case that plants are indeed intelligent. In the age of AI, the definition of intelligence is fuzzy at best, and it seems to keep changing. This book did what all great read should do. I made me think. I look at plants very differently now. Oh and for the vegetarians out there who think eating meat is cruel. That smell of Humans tend to anthropomorphize. For god sake people bought pet rocks, and no your cat is not planning on murdering you. The author is familiar with this risk, but make a solid case that plants are indeed intelligent. In the age of AI, the definition of intelligence is fuzzy at best, and it seems to keep changing. This book did what all great read should do. I made me think. I look at plants very differently now. Oh and for the vegetarians out there who think eating meat is cruel. That smell of cut grass is the smell of grass in pain.
I took the liberty of asking ChatGPT 4o to write my real review, with the following prompt. It got confused on the title, but otherwise it mimics intelligence

Write a book review. The book is about the intelligence of plants. It described several traits of intelligence including communication, memory, and planning. Weave in how plant intelligence expands our understanding of what intelligence actually is, which could change the definition of artificial intelligence and the search for intelligence on other planets

Book Review: "The Intelligence of Plants"

"The Intelligence of Plants" is a fascinating exploration into the often-overlooked realm of plant behavior and cognition. The book delves deeply into the idea that plants possess traits traditionally associated with animal intelligence, such as communication, memory, and planning. Through a blend of scientific research and engaging narrative, the author challenges our conventional understanding of intelligence and opens the door to a new perspective on the natural world.

One of the book's most compelling arguments is that plants are capable of sophisticated communication. The author details how plants use chemical signals to warn each other of dangers like herbivores or environmental stress. This form of communication, though vastly different from human or animal languages, demonstrates a level of complexity that suggests a form of intelligence. This challenges the reader to broaden their definition of what it means to be intelligent.

Memory in plants is another intriguing topic covered in the book. The author provides evidence that plants can "remember" past events, such as previous exposure to drought, and adjust their future responses accordingly. This form of memory is not stored in a brain, as in animals, but in cellular and genetic mechanisms that allow plants to adapt and survive. This concept forces us to reconsider the necessity of a central nervous system for memory and learning.

The book also explores the idea that plants can plan and anticipate future conditions. For instance, some plants exhibit behaviors that suggest they can predict changes in their environment, such as the timing of leaf shedding in anticipation of winter. This form of planning, rooted in evolutionary adaptation, indicates a level of foresight that is surprising and enlightening.

"The Intelligence of Plants" does more than just highlight the cognitive abilities of flora; it expands our understanding of intelligence itself. By demonstrating that plants can exhibit traits like communication, memory, and planning, the book suggests that intelligence is not confined to the animal kingdom. This broader perspective has profound implications for the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and astrobiology.

In AI, the recognition of plant intelligence could inspire new approaches to machine learning and adaptive algorithms. If we can learn from the way plants process information and respond to their environment, we might develop more robust and efficient AI systems that do not rely solely on neural networks but incorporate other forms of data processing and memory storage.

In the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, this expanded definition encourages scientists to look beyond the familiar signs of life and cognition. If plants, without brains, can exhibit intelligent behavior, then alien life forms with entirely different biological structures might also possess intelligence. This realization could broaden the scope of astrobiological research and enhance our chances of discovering intelligent life on other planets.

In conclusion, "The Intelligence of Plants" is a thought-provoking read that challenges our traditional views of intelligence. By presenting compelling evidence of plant cognition, the book encourages us to rethink our definitions and expand our horizons. This shift in perspective has the potential to influence not only our understanding of the natural world but also the future development of AI and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of biology, technology, and the broader questions of life and intelligence. ...more

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Sep 16, 2025 Holli rated it really liked it

Fascinating!

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Jun 20, 2025 Kathleen (itpdx) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, lwv-suggest, rws-summer-2025

An enthusiastic review of recent plant science findings.
Schlanger asks the questions--can plants communicate? are they intelligent? are they conscious? do they have agency? and tells us what scientists have been finding out.
She also asks-how does science change its mind? is inheritance strictly gene-controlled or does environment influence heredity? what does all this mean in humans' relations to plants and the world?

The title demonstrates her wonderful use of words. The book is brimming with wo ...more

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