Islands of Life

On Lord Howe Island there is a tree: The Kentia Palm. One population of Kentia has, over time, associated with a mycorhizzal fungal community allowing it to thrive in alkaline soils. The other associated with a different mycorhizzal community allowing it to grow in acid soils. Same species but very different soil environments.

The association with an organismal "raft" bearing a different genome has facilitated this ability of the Kentia Palm to colonize different soil types. It's the association that brings resilience and intrepidity.

What does this say about the possibilities of the "lichen" that is bitcoin, Lightning Network, eCash, and nostr? My guess is it's now akin to an invasive "species" that will permeate every nook, cranny, and crack that presents itself. This world is so fractured; footholds are everywhere.

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

#LHI is a veritable paradise and I've been lucky enough to visit. Shhh.. We don't want a stampede!

Not coincidentally the Kentia Palm is the world's most popular indoor palm and can tolerate low light and dust. Indeed intrepid.

Seen. My favourite fungus is the Japanese national fungus known as Koji that powers such culinary products as Miso, Soy sauce and Sake! After all, we humans are descendants of the fungal kingdom…