Herbicides have a long history of negative consequences. Glyphosate and paraquat, among other pollutants, are extremely harmful to human health and the environment. These pollutants impair soil quality and destroy beneficial organisms such as pollinators. Furthermore, the widespread use of herbicides has resulted in weed resistance, making chemical management less effective.
Kenny Lee, co-founder and CEO of Aigen Robotics, is personally committed to reducing pesticide use. Lee, a glyphosate-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, has collected $19 million for his startup to produce solar-powered weeding robots. “We’re on a personal mission,” Lee says, emphasizing their dedication to sustainable agriculture.
To be fair, some people dedicate their lives to the study of fungi and still don’t fully understand them. Hell, after almost being able to scratch the surface in my own personal studies, I am open to the possibility of mycelium being sentient. Having seen mycelium adapt to food sources the way it does, makes me doubt a ton of what we do know about them.
We probably have to seriously reconsider scientific naming conventions because of them, actually. They can evolve and adapt almost spontaneously and it’s crazy. (They is some spry little things!)
What I am saying is that a “basic lack of understanding” is the understatement of the century.