Are mushrooms an ancient engineered artifact from an alien civilization that were spread here for the purpose of communication?
Let’s set the scenario: imagine you are an alien civilization trying to send communication across the entire universe.
You possess extremely advanced technology, but you face constraints: you cannot violate any known laws of physics (like lightspeed), the universe is vast, and there are approximately 10^23 stars, along with countless other celestial bodies to contact.
Self-replicating probes would be a logical starting point.
By sending them in various directions and allowing them to self-replicate at set intervals, you could maintain a steady spatial density as they spread throughout the universe.
However, there are significant challenges—chief among them are the need for raw materials and energy for propulsion.
Given the enormous number of probes required, there would be intense selective pressure for smaller probes. Not just small, butto create smaller probes—ideally, as miniature as possible.
What do we have in our world that meets these criteria? Cellular machines.
Let’s assume this advanced civilization has the technology to develop biological constructs. What might they create?
There are three necessary components – You need a gene package(to self replicate), a “message unit” for generalized communication across intelligent life, and a robust protective shell for extended space travel and radiation exposure. You would also need to consider propulsion.
As previously mentioned, minimizing energy used for propulsion is advantageous. Brownian motion—a concept of randomized drift—could be employed.
Using Brownian motion alone, it would take approximately 300,000 years to distribute your probes across the universe, quite rapid by astrophysical standards. By adding propulsion, you could accelerate this process even further.
What in nature fits these constraints? A psilocybin mushroom spore. The toughest organic material known to man is the outer shell of a spore, which is also electron-dense; chemically and electrically, its coating resembles metal more than organic material.
The deep purple color of psilocybin spores is ideal for shielding the inner material from ultraviolet radiation, which is highly detrimental to genetic material.
Examining the psilocybin mushroom reveals its incredibly useful DNA.
The fungus acts as a primary decomposer, breaking down organic materials to facilitate other life forms. We know that fungi laid the groundwork for more advanced life on Earth—could the same be true for other planets?
Next, let’s consider the psilocybin “message.” At its core, psilocybin conveys that you are part of the universe, encourages kindness towards others, and stresses the importance of preserving your home planet. If you aimed to protect less advanced civilizations, this would be the precise message to communicate.
However, there is a critical threshold to cross: psilocybin does not create consciousness; it interacts with it. Gallimore proposed DMT as an intelligence test—serotonin receptors are necessary for psychedelic activity.
The same applies to psilocybin; it only affects organisms that have reached a certain level of intelligence. You must be conscious for it to function on a psychedelic level, indicating it was designed for communication with intelligent life only.
Note: In the lecture, Terence mentions that he is not as passionate about this idea as he once was, but he still enjoys arguing for it. He based part of his argument on “Strategies for Extraterrestrial Communication” by Bracewell.
