Close Readings Nature in Crisis: ‘The Light Eaters’ by Zoë Schlanger
6 snips
Feb 9, 2026 Scientists report plants that sense, signal and respond in unexpected ways. The conversation highlights research suggesting complex plant behaviour and rapid movements. The book’s popular-science storytelling and the author’s turn from climate dread to botanical wonder are explored. Historical origins of photosynthesis and surprising plant abilities get attention.
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Plants Signal Faster Than We Think
- Plants show faster, sophisticated behaviors via chemical and electrical signaling that challenge assumptions of slowness.
- These activities can resemble intelligence and even prompt questions about plant consciousness.
Reporter’s Turn From Dread To Wonder
- Zoë Schlanger turned from climate reporting to plants after climate coverage produced numbness and dread.
- Studying plants restored her sense of wonder and reattached her to environmental stakes.
Botany At A Conceptual Turning Point
- Schlanger argues plant science is in upheaval, debating core tenets and birthing a new conception of plants.
- This shift could change how we define intelligence and life on Earth.
