February 17, 2026
Mind over molecule?
How teaching molecules to think is revealing what a 'mind' is
Internet melts down over “thinking molecules”—deep science or AI clickbait
TLDR: Scientists suggest even tiny cellular networks show goal‑driven behavior, hinting at a new view of life and mind. Comments split between awe and snark, with skeptics calling it AI‑ish clickbait and others debating Pavlov and sci‑fi, underscoring why this could reshape medicine and how we define “thinking.”
A mind-bending article claims even tiny networks of biomolecules might have goals—basically a baby “self”—and that agency isn’t just for brains. Scientists point to slime moulds, plants, and our immune system “remembering” invaders as proof that cognition (thinking, learning, adapting) pops up all over the body. The big promise: if cells act with purpose, we might treat diseases by coaching them, with fewer side effects. Cue the comment war.
The vibe split hard. Skeptics like shevy‑java slammed the headline as hype: “Molecules do not ‘think’,” and accused the whole piece of reading like AI. Others went full popcorn mode with sci‑fi: oersted dropped Greg Bear’s Blood Music, warning it starts grounded and slides into body‑horror—because of course the internet made it spooky. Then dust42 arrived with a textbook in hand, correcting the article’s Pavlov example: “saliva isn’t conscious” and please stop treating dogs like circus props. One exasperated commenter basically begged for mercy, while pella just tossed an archive link like a mic‑drop. The memes flowed: “slime moulds make better life choices than me,” “my gut wants chocolate,” and “my immune system is its own main character.” It’s wonder vs. eye‑roll—either a paradigm shift about life and mind, or just headline alchemy with extra woo. And yes, everyone is now side‑eyeing their cells.
Key Points
- •The article argues that agency-like behavior may exist at cellular and biomolecular levels, supported by biological simulations.
- •Cognition is framed as information use, problem-solving, and learning, traditionally studied in brains with tools like brain scanners.
- •Evidence from slime molds, plants, and single-celled organisms suggests learning, memory, and adaptive decision-making without brains.
- •Within humans, the immune system’s memory and self-organized growth and repair by cell collectives are presented as forms of agency.
- •Researchers including Michael Levin, Tom Froese, and Emily Dolson highlight experimental approaches and link agency’s origins to life’s beginnings, with potential medical implications.