Hmm … pretty emotionally delivered speech and very much geared to 'Americana' culture. Nonetheless, Bert's point is a good one .. the mind boggles at the scope of the natural processes underpinning the acquisition of attractive and repellent properties of these fungi.
I find the social message to be in conflict however. So what this guy's saying is preserve the old growth forests in order that these mushrooms don't go extinct, cultivate them and use them to develop medicines to save human lives, which then produces more humans, which then increases the demand on resources such as old growth forests .. thereby placing them at further risk???
Is he underestimating the ability of the insect kingdom to adapt to overcome the attractive and repellant nature of these fungi, when used by humans as a catalyst? He seems to be very focused on the fungi properties but what would an entomologist have to say about this? Insects account for more than two-thirds of all known organisms and also date back 400 million years. I'd say they have some pretty neat tricks up their sleeves as well. (Eg: does this guy spend any time thinking about cane-toad destruction?)
Very thought-provoking .. thanks Bert.
Cheers