12 July 2017
Smart but dumb: probing the mysteries of brainless intelligence
Understanding how things like slime moulds and plants can learn without a brain or even any neurons could help us fight diseases and make smarter machines
Dr Audrey Dussutour
By Erica Tennenhouse
SNAILS, jellyfish and starfish have taught us that you don’t need a brain to learn. These seemingly simple creatures are capable learners, despite being completely brainless. Perhaps this is no great surprise. After all, it’s not as if they lack nerve cells. Strictly speaking, it’s neurons that enable learning – theirs are simply spread out, rather than being packed into centralised bundles.
But what if you take away the neurons?
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23531340-700-smart-but-dumb-probing-the-mysteries-of-brainless-intelligence/
