
About this episode
Biologist Merlin Sheldrake's extreme experiments, many of which involve his physical body and varying forms of fungi, have led to equally remarkable discoveries
English biologist Merlin Sheldrake, son of Rupert Sheldrake, became fascinated by fungi when he was a boy.
He grew mushrooms in his cupboard and brewed bog myrtle beer under his bed.
He went on to study fungi at Cambridge University, and his research explores the interconnection between fungi and plants in what’s known as ‘the Wood Wide Web’.
Merlin's extreme experiments, many of which involve his physical body and varying forms of fungi, have led to equally remarkable discoveries.
Further information
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures is published by Random House
More about Merlin and his workTo binge even more great episodes of the ‘Conversations podcast’ with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, singers, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
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