Update on the marvel of slime molds

Back in February of 2019, I wrote an article praising the brilliance of lowly slime molds. (click this link to read the article)

Now, here is an update from Scientific American that shows these creatures to be beyond brilliant. It turns out that their method of movement makes for a perfect algorithm that replicates and explains the structure of the universe itself. In my Gnostic Gospel podcast I often liken the Pleroma of the Aeons above as a slime mold colony. And I don't mean it as disrespect to the Aeons, but rather the highest compliment one can pay.

As Below, So Above From: Scientific American <newsletters@scientificamerican.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 01:00:56 PM PDT Subject: Today in Science: Slime mold and the formation of the universe

 

Astrophysicists built an algorithm based on the movement of slime molds to model how the structure of the universe affects galaxy formation. Yes, you read that right, slime mold. The organisms are experts at expanding into new territories, pushing their membranes outward in a synchronized wave in every direction. When they find a food source, nearby membranes relax, and the molds push more material into that region. The scientists hypothesized that this natural behavior might serve as a good mapping model for the movement of galaxies in the early universe.  What they found: Using their slime mold movement algorithm to model the universe’s formation, the researchers found that as the universe aged, it pulled cosmic material (dust, stars and even dark matter) into filaments, which in turn affected how stars formed in galaxies that ended up too close to each other.   What the experts say: It’s been difficult to measure how the cosmic web, with its filaments, tendrils and empty voids, affects galaxy formation, says New York City College of Technology astrophysicist Ari Maller. “The use of the slime-mold algorithm seems to have accomplished that goal.”