Astrophysicists say that “planetary intelligence” exists…but Earth has no intelligence

We tend to think of intelligence as something that only describes one individual. But all kinds of groups can also be described as intelligent groups – whether we are talking about human social groups, insect pouches, or even the mysterious behavior of slime molds and Virus.

Furthermore, could intelligence be observed on a much larger scale – perhaps across the planet? In a newly published research paper, a team of space scientists explored this puzzling question, and came to some surprising conclusions about planet Earth.

“The open question is whether or not intelligence can operate on a planetary scale, and if so, how the transition to intelligence can occur on a planetary scale and whether or not it has or is in our short-term horizon.” Writing team.

They note that understanding these questions can help us guide our planet’s future; However, by their own standards, it looks like we’re not there yet.

“We don’t yet have the capacity to collectively respond in the best interests of the planet.” Say Astrophysicist Adam Frank of the University of Rochester.

“There is intelligence on Earth, but no planetary intelligence.”

According to the researchers, the emergence of technological intelligence on a planet – a common reference point in astrobiological research – should probably not be seen as something that is happening. Of planet but ke planet.

In such an interpretation, the development of planetary intelligence would represent the acquisition and application of collective knowledge pools that operate across complex systems of various kinds simultaneously, and harmoniously benefit or support the entire biosphere.

Unfortunately – and obviously – humans and Earth aren’t there yet.

In fact, Frank and his colleagues say we are only in the third stage of a hypothetical timeline for developing planetary intelligence.

In the first stage, which is characteristic of very early Earth, a planet with an “immature biosphere” developed life, but there were not enough feedback loops between life and geophysical processes for the co-evolution of different types of life.

In the second stage, the “adult biosphere” appears.

After that, the planet could become the third stage: the “immature technical veil”, in which Earth is currently located. At this point, technological activity has developed on the planet, but has not been integrated in a sustainable manner with other systems, such as the physical environment.

However, if these tensions can be resolved, the immature technological field has the opportunity to develop to its final stage: a “mature technical field”, where the feedback loop between technological activity and other biogeochemical and biophysical states operates concurrently to ensure maximum stability and complete system productivity.

Researchers argue that this ideal state is where Earth should strive to achieve.

“Planets evolve through immature and mature stages, and planetary intelligence indicates the time when you reach a mature planet,” Frank says.

“The million-dollar question is what planetary intelligence looks like and what it means for us in practice because we don’t yet know how to transition to a mature technosphere.”

According to the researchers, we are currently sitting on the brink, where it is clear that our collective actions have global consequences, but we are not yet in control of those consequences.

If, together with the other forces on this planet, we can develop a balance in which those consequences are controlled, we can eventually evolve – as a planet – to the next level.

“The transition to planetary intelligence, as we describe here, will have the hallmarks of intelligence operating on a planetary scale,” Researchers write in their paper.

“Such planetary intelligence will be able to drive the development of the Earth in the future, act in line with the planetary system and be guided by a deep understanding of this system.”

The paper was published in International Astrobiological Journal.

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