Are Humans Just Big Blobs of Bacteria?
Filed under: Bacteria Intelligence, Bacterial Invasion, Biology, Discoveries, Human Intelligence, Intelligence, Psychology, Science, Science Fiction
A recent article at Seed Magazine shows that individuality is at a crossroads.
The report explores mankind’s complex relationship with the millions of microbes living inside us. New research shows that we are nothing without these little critters running around our intestines, hearts, and brains. The findings are significant enough that the International Human Microbiome Consortium came into being in October. Their goal will be to further characterize and understand our microbial allies and enemies.
Bacterial Microbes Living Inside Our Bodies (NIH)
According to psychologists, the new importance placed on the ecosystems within our bodies could damage our sense of self.
“Are we unique singular beings? Or simply communities of organisms working together, producing the illusion of an individual? Are we really in control, or is a crew of microbes inside our body piloting us along for their own needs? These are the sort of psyche shattering questions this science raises,” says Dr. Caroline McDeegalan, a psychologist working for the Fragile Egos & Humans Consortium.
When these concepts are combined with studies proving bacteria are smarter than we thought (read here), a scary picture of reality begins to open before us. The idea of ’self’ could be replaced by the idea of ‘we’ – the ‘we’ being us and the millions of bacteria living in our bodies. Who’s in control?
What do you think? Are we humans? Or are we eco-systems?
Read our article Bacteria With Brains and the Mysterious Death of Pirates.