So what do you think of the following: Plants Communicate to Warn Against Danger?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20071009/sc_livescience/plantscommunicatetowarnagainstdanger

Well, now what are veg*ns going to eat? Certainly this adds to the body of evidence that plants are sentient. BTW--- sentient doesn't necessarily include self-awareness. So you can stuff that counterargument.

What do you think of this article? Again, it's science so I'm aware that there is a virulent strain of anti-science, anti-intellectualism, anti-rationality on the V&V forum. So some critical thinker's responses would be appreciated.

MAD: Your answer is just fine. We like to enlighten and if this solves the mystery of your Hosta--then we've made a contribution

So far we have 5 individuals that read and responded appropriately to the question. And 5 of the usual nutters that lurk on this board. I won't be so declase' as to name the "anti-everything not veg*ns"

You were going fairly well David Dickwad until the following quote.

"Anyway, it costs 500 lbs of grain to feed a cow or something like that, so your whole point is moot."

I thought we were talking about plants' ability to communicate? Where did you derail?

AL L: I just posed question based on an article, you stupid little cow. I want to get feedback on what people THINK about that. You obviously are not among the people who THINK.

So far we still have only 5 responsbile answers and 7 very stupid people who obviously have an agenda other than debating the question. (Sigh)

Krister: You were going good in making an credible argument until you decided to derail and editorialize. I do wish I could have added you to the 5 who exhibited some semblance of critical thinking ... but alas, we still have only 5 credible comments and now 9 agenda pushers and rants.

Answer 1

I thought that similar communication had been identified long ago, unless I imagined it, where trees discharge chemicals when under attack (like when caterpillars invade a grove of trees) and nearby trees adapt (respond) by increasing their defenses.

In the report you identified, the plants are physically linked by runners, and in a sense are a colony or could under certain views be considered an individual. But such communication is not news except in the sense that it is a new situation where communication is indicated.

But maybe I am wrong. I find it hard to believe that I dreamed all that up on my own however.

Answer 2

This communication is entirely chemical. Reporters love writing every news story with emotionalism to stir up the reader ("a lot like humans and other animals"??? BS!). Humans and animals have brains and nervous systems. Yes, they do communicate chemically, both internally and externally, but they also have the capacity to feel pain.

If you wound a plant, it sets off a domino effect of chemical reactions that end in a response (healing or defense). The same thing happens in an animal, but an animal also feels it.

Anyway, it costs 500 lbs of grain to feed a cow or something like that, so your whole point is moot.

Bustersmycat gave a good answer too.

Answer 3

In the article is states that this communication is comparable to a computer virus. Does this mean computers are sentient beings? No, The reaction is simply chemical based and not true communication. Furthermore these studies are in their early stages and are simply a theory not proven fact. Plants do not have a central nervous system and while they may respond to sunlight this is simply due to the photosynthetic process and not because they feel. Plants naturally rely on nature to distribute it's seeds in order to reproduce. By eating plants we are allowing these spores to produce seeds and create more plants. Please, stop trying to manipulate these articles and research to try and defend your own lifestyle. It's sad that you have such a pathetic life that you need to try and convert people.

Answer 4

All living things need sustenance to survive and I'm no different. If I was a tree I'd happily get by on photosynthesis but I'm not so I can't. As an animal, I need either plants or animals to sustain me. Perhaps plants do communicate, but I still feel that there's a qualitative and quantitative difference in the degree of suffering felt by plants versus that experienced by animals. By eschewing animal products, I am doing what I can to reduce their suffering and I'm causing the death of fewer plants that way, too (livestock consume a LOT of plant matter on their way to slaughter.) I know you think you've trumped our best argument for veg*nism, but that would only be true if reducing suffering were an all or nothing propostion. It's not. I'm not going to kill 90-odd animals each year just to satisfy my palate because, oh well, I can't eliminate 100% of suffering amongst all living things world-wide. By that logic we might as well repeal all animal cruelty laws; if a single plant is going to suffer it's nonsensical to make it illegal for people to beat their dogs to death. I'm doing what I can, I enjoy eating this way, I'm not asking you to do it too... so that should be enough for you. When you add in the health and environmental benefits, I'm perfectly at peace with my decision. What I don't understand is why you're so put off by it; we're not outlawing your cheeseburger.

Answer 5

I read of this 30 years ago. A plant was wired up to machine measuring electrical responses and another plant was plunged into a pot of boiling water. The plant that was wired up sent electrical impluse recording off the scale.

Answer 6

Very interesting - so that's why the slugs take a little bite out of every single leaf on my Hosta!
(This may not be the sort of intellectual comment you were hoping for - sorry!)

Answer 7

I don't think that this is going to convince anyone that plants feel as much as animals, that is if they do "feel" anything. Just because something reacts chemically, doesn't mean that it feels.

Even if they did, I still need plants to survive. I don't need animals products to be healthy.

It is still a fact that I kill less plants by eating them directly instead of having them fed to animals first.

This is such a predictable and trollish thing to post.

Answer 8

A plant still doesn't feel PAIN and FEAR the way animals do. I never pretend veganism is about ending suffering, but reducing suffering. And with every pound of meat you eat, that's up to 17 pounds of plants who are killed. So you meat eaters are killing even more plants than veg*ans. And you eat plant foods, too, don't you?

I'm also aware of a strain of virulent antiveganism on the V&V forum by trolls who wish to justify eating meat.

Answer 9

Wasps launch a particular hormone whilst dangered telling different wasps to attack. Killing is one among tge worst issues you ought to do while you evaluate that hormone is now interior your residing house.

Answer 10

They are gonna have to curl up and die I think Skully. Mind this is not news is it really planets obviously have feelings otherwise why would the willow weep, obviously brussels sprout, so they are clearly capable of movement also, mother in laws tongue so I am told LOL so they clearly have a sex drive and of course plants have the sense to know where to live in that if they land somewhere unsuitable they just hang around until conditons change and then they burst into life. If all LIFE is sacred the what about PLANT LIFE