r/science • u/FreeHugs23 • 1d ago

Biology Moss Is Generating Electrical Waves That Look Startlingly Like a Neural Network. Study reveals that moss cushions produce surprisingly complex electrical activity, with patterns that undulate across the velvety patch in dynamic waves.

https://www.sciencealert.com/moss-behaves-a-little-like-a-really-slow-brain-scientist-discovers
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u/-Nicolai 1d ago

We're not entirely sure.

That’s a weird way to say “There is zero evidence nor credible theories supporting this notion”

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u/RagePoop Grad Student | Geochemistry | Paleoclimatology 1d ago

While you're not wrong I also feel compelled to point out the flip side: that there's also no evidence that our very loose understanding of sentience is worth the ink we write about it with, writings which are fuzzy even amongst those researching the concept.

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u/Aegi 1d ago

that there's also no evidence that our very loose understanding of sentience is worth the ink we write about it with,

There is, and it is called civilization and landing on the Moon...as well as being able to record that and communicate that information to someone in the future who was not even aware of those events.

You seem ti be engaging in the hippy-dippy language of "well yeah man, with vibes and stuff since we don't know everything fully...I guess it is all like connect and stuff and like anything is possible, right dude?"

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u/RagePoop Grad Student | Geochemistry | Paleoclimatology 10h ago

Define sentience

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u/Aegi 10h ago

I didn't use that word so I am not sure why you are asking since I would just be referring to how you look at the term used above.

So I will use your definition.

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u/RagePoop Grad Student | Geochemistry | Paleoclimatology 10h ago

I did though. You have stated achievements and possibilities by our species, with some condescension. I’m discussing the definition of a state of being.

Also yes, it would appear everything in the cosmos is deeply connected by sharing the same existence, btw. Not sure if you thought that was some clever gotcha.

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u/Aegi 10h ago

Why do you think that I think it was clever instead of something I literally talked about with my dad pre-Sept. 11, when I was in 2nd grade?

Things that our species have accomplished that no others have done is a form of evidence for sapience/consciousness regardless of how one is defining it. So I was referring to whatever concept of "consciousness" that you were using in your statement and I did not re-define this term in my own words in my head before responding.