Team MLT dives deep into the monstrous microcosm and faces-off with the microbes literally knocking on the blood-brain barrier. We then discuss how the macrocosm mirrors the chimeric hordes of “interspecies becomings” associated with the microcosm. You may never be the same after this one.

Endless thanks to Mr. Tim Leavy @ Tim leavy for crafting us a most righteous theme song.

References:

Ode to an Amoeba Poem - Arthur Guiterman poem Ode To The Amoeba (blueridgejournal.com) https://www.blueridgejournal.com/poems/ag-amoeba.htm Mood quote from Colin Wilson -The Mind Parasites: Wilson, C. (1967). The Mind Parasites. Arkham House, WI. Colin Wilson - The Mind Parasites (selfdefinition.org) https://selfdefinition.org/colin-wilson/Colin-Wilson-The-Mind-Parasites.pdf Onchocera Volvus & Houdini’s Nefarious Cousins- Dispommier, D.D. (2013). Peoples, Parasites, and Plowshares: learning from our bodies most terrifying invaders. Columbia U., NY. Parasites and human affairs - Drisdelle, R. (2010). Parasites: tales of humanities most unwelcome guests. University of California Press, CA, p5-6 Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria: Good ole Wikipedia Heterotrophic Flagellate-https://bio.libretexts.org/Workbench/Bio_1130%3A_Remixed/02%3A_Origins_of_life/2.07%3A_Endosymbiosis Microbiological evolution discussion-Exploring the role of cooperation in evolution - A conversation between John Stewart and Daniel Wahl (youtube.com) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftuY7BIzn9M Autopoietic Networks & Dorian Sagan & life as web of relationships - Fritjof, C. (1996). The web of life: new understanding of living systems. Doubleday, NY, p221, p229, p30 Jumping genes & the ancient virus - Shubin, N. (2020). Some assembly required: decoding four billion years of life, from ancient fossils to DNA. Pantheon Books, NY. Cooperation between bands of early humans- Hanson, R & Mendius, R. (2009). The practical neuroscience of Buddha’s brain: happiness, love, and wisdom. New Harbinger, CA. Glyptapantelses - Sanger Institute Blog https://sangerinstitute.blog/2023/03/13/three-mind-blowing-examples-of-parasites-that-hijack-their-hosts-brains-and-bodies/ Wetiko Virus - P. Levy (2021). Wetiko: healing the mind virus that plagues our world. Inner Traditions, VT. Dr Gad Saad -- The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3xmqn6TT_Y Aliens as bacteria - Pinchbeck, D. (2007). 2012: The return of Quetzalcoatl. Penguin Group, Inc, p142 Hyle - Rubenstein, M. (2018). Pantheologies: Gods, worlds, monsters. Columbia University Press Ontonic relationships & founding ancestors - Merz S. (2018). Crocodiles are the souls of the community: an analysis of human-animal relations in northwestern Benin. University of Exeter, p94 https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10871/32861/MerzS.pdf?sequence=1 Animal mothers - Campbell, J.(1969). Flight of the wild gander. Harper Perennial, p97-98 Multispecies Landscapes - Aisher, A. & Damodaran, V. (2016). Introduction: human-nature interactions through a multispecies lens. Conservation & Society, 14 (4) Interspecies becomings - Zubieta, L.F. (2016). Animals role in proper behaviour: Chewa women’s instruction in south-central. University of Western Australia, Perth, Conservation & Society, 14 (4): 406-415 Dream of the Planet - Ruiz, D.M. (1997). Beyond Fear: a Toltec guide to freedom and joy. Council Oak Books, p200 Pinchbecks interview with Paul Levy - https://pinchbeck.net/