• Elaine Knox Elaine Knox Someone inhales fungal spores. • They might get a bit bitey. • Something gruesome happens and the horror spreads. • Such is the fate of many inCold Storage, a new film in which a trio of unlikely heroes try to save the world from apocalypse. • A mutatedCordycepsfungus that, on account of some dastardly solar radiation, now infects warm-blooded animals rather than its usual prey. • But haven’t we seen this before?
Article Summaries:
- The article argues that popular media’s focus on Cordyceps‑related apocalypses-seen in films, TV series and radio dramas-misrepresents the fungal kingdom. While only a few hundred Cordyceps species exist, fungi encompass thousands of other species with vital ecological roles, from soil formation to plant symbiosis. The piece highlights remarkable fungi such as the massive Armillaria ostoyae and the highly adaptable Schizophyllum commune, and notes their contributions to medicine, food, and environmental health. It calls for a broader, more balanced portrayal of fungi in science fiction, emphasizing their diversity, benefits, and potential for inspiring future creative and scientific exploration.
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