There is little evidence that plants have a centralized area in which to digest information and make decisions based on multiple inputs and outputs, and the book does not persuasively suggest how consciousness could arise without it. Planta Sapiens, however, contains a fascinating description of how plants interact with the environment in myriad ways.
To his credit, Calvo — while freely admitting he was not trained as a plant scientist — cites articles by plant experts critical of his perspective. At the same time, though, he conveys a sense that naysayers are just not sufficiently open-minded to accept plant experience for what it is ... too often, Calvo undermines his case by using over-the-top language... and inappropriate analogies to human behavior ... Despite the book’s drawbacks, Calvo raises some fascinating questions.
Proving that these behaviours are evidence of cognition, rather than being automatic reflex responses, albeit impressive ones, is a tough hurdle to clear and Calvo doesn’t quite make it over ... As fascinating as these titbits are, you have to cut through reams of deadwood about the author’s career to reach them. It’s a shame. This subject deserves writing that fills the reader with a sense of wonder.
The central contention of Planta Sapiens is that plants are people ... All of which raises loud questions that Calvo and Lawrence see and echo but spend comparatively little time trying to answer.
Along with fascinating examples, Calvo devotes equal space to arguments with philosophers and fellow scientists over the meaning of intelligence ... Persuasive evidence for plant intelligence.
