The Last of Us is not just a video game, it is also a production that makes you question the fears of humanity, the power of nature and existential threats. This work, which also attracted attention with its series on HBO, confronts the audience with a zombie apocalypse. However, the real danger lies in the background reality of the zombie story. Over the last 50 years, scientists have suggested that epidemics that threaten humans may be triggered not only by viruses or bacteria, but also by fungi. This thought creates anxiety that makes viewers think. The potential of fungi to infect humans and cause a deadly epidemic brings with it the desire to explore the secrets of nature more deeply.
In the complex structure of nature, the role of fungi is not limited to breaking down decaying organic matter. Some fungi can penetrate the bodies of other living things and control them. This makes the story of The Last of Us even more interesting. This fictional scenario we see in the world of movies and games actually holds a mirror to the unique functioning of nature.
Phanerochaete velutina: An Intelligent Mushroom
Recently, scientists discovered a rare and interesting fungus called Phanerochaete velutina. The properties of this mushroom make it more than just an ordinary plant. The learning ability and memory of the fungus play an important role in understanding the secrets of nature. Research shows that this fungus has the ability to recognize shapes and communicate with its environment. This kind of communication ability of fungi reveals the depth and richness of nature’s complex networks.
Communication in Fungi
- Mushrooms can communicate and share information with other fungi around them.
- This communication helps fungi develop survival strategies and better adapt to their environment.
- In The Last of Us, the fact that mushrooms turn people into zombies and communicate with other mushrooms coincides with this reality.
Scientific Foundations of Discovery
In an article published in the journal Funal Ecology, researchers examined the behavior of the fungus. They placed small wooden blocks in different arrangements, allowing the fungi to spread. This experiment reveals how the fungus responds to environmental changes and optimizes the way it spreads.
Fungi not only spread from a central point, they can change the way they spread to adapt more effectively to their location. This reveals that Phanerochaete velutina had primitive intelligence. However, this intelligence is not at a level that would make them a threat to humans. Still, it’s impossible to know how fungi will develop over evolutionary time.
Concerns and Hopes for the Future
The possibility that one day, perhaps thousands of years from now, fungi may develop further and become a threat to humans should increase people’s respect for nature. The balance of nature is the responsibility of every individual. The mysterious world of mushrooms encourages people to think and explore the complex structure of nature. In order not to lose our throne at the top of the food chain, we have to live in harmony with nature.
This also brings up the idea of revenge on the mushrooms we ate in the past. Perhaps the mushrooms that we have been cooking in our pots for centuries may one day develop a reaction to this situation. Understanding and respecting the balance of nature is perhaps humanity’s greatest duty. As a result, this complex and mysterious structure that nature offers us enables us to embark on a journey of discovery that is both inspiring and thought-provoking.
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