Basal cognition is a new field. Scientists are discovering that all cells—not just those in the brain—are intelligent. That is, they’re capable of learning, memory, and problem-solving. They’re constantly evaluating their surroundings, making decisions about what to let in and what to keep out and planning their next steps. They do this by using subtle changes in electric fields.
Plants are a good example of basal cognition. They perceive
their world and use that information to get what they need—a key component of
intelligence. For example, they can detect the sound of running water and will
grow toward it; when they detect the sound of bee’s wings they’ll produce
nectar in preparation. This photo, showing “shyness of the crown,” is another
example of plants’ “intelligence.”
Even slime mold is an excellent problem solver. In a complicated experiment, researchers showed that, through training, slime mold can overcome its aversion to caffeine—which it hates—to get to oatmeal, which it likes.
All cells within our bodies work in synchrony, thanks to the
continuous information exchange that allows them to maintain equilibrium. That
equilibrium is partly modulated through interconnected bio-electrical circuits.
Scientists now accept that cancer is characterized by malfunctions in that circuitry.
Stress, chemicals, and genetic mutation can all cause a breakdown of normal
cellular communication, causing cancer cells to stop receiving their orders and
go rogue. Manipulating a cell’s bioelectric properties might make it possible
stop tumors from growing.
Scientists are also exploring how understanding basal
cognition can inform artificial intelligence and create robots that can “learn
about the world by poking it.” Then
what?
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