The experience of this article was like going to a cocktail party at a friend's house, not knowing anyone but the host. And then you get there and your friend insists on giving you the tour of the house first and while you're looking at each room, overhearing fragments of interesting conversations, but the host insists on continuing the tour. You'd like to join the conversation about death or microbiology or "fake it til you make it" culture, but you get whisked into the next room. And then you get to the end of the tour and are told its time to go home.
I thought there would be cocktails. I would've liked more depth on almost any part of this.
The headline brought me in and incremented the publishers site visit metric. I scrolled through 95% of this hunting for the part about why the mushroom suit didn't work. I'm sure their visitor session duration metric was satisfied. I was not.
> Right now, inside you, are the very organisms that will begin to break down your body after you breathe your last. Carbon dioxide accumulates in your body, creating an acidic environment and rupturing cell walls, which release an enzyme that then digests the cells. The first stage of decomposition is autolysis, literally self-digestion, with the intestines and pancreas being the strongest actors. You carry your death with you everywhere you go. This turned out to be too much for Infinity Mushrooms.
I assume that 'acidic environment' is unsuitable for mushrooms bred for fingernail clippings etc
This article barely describes why the mushrooms did _not_ eat Luke Perry, despite acknowledging that up top. All it suggests is that autolysis enzymes kill the mushrooms?
Scientific Grounding: The post suggests that the technology behind the mushroom suit lacks scientific grounding. It questions whether the plastic box experiment conducted by the artist truly emulates the complex and changing environment of a buried body.
Fungal Enzymes: There's skepticism about the choice of shiitake and oyster mushrooms for breaking down keratin. The post highlights that these basidiomycetes (mushrooms) are not known to produce the enzymes required for breaking down keratin effectively.
Complexity of Decay: The post emphasizes that the decay of buried bodies is a complex process influenced by various factors such as soil type, moisture, temperature, pH, and the presence of organisms. The blog suggests that a plastic box containing keratin may not represent the realistic conditions of a buried body.
Role of Other Organisms: The role of other organisms, including bacteria, nematodes, and soil fungi, is underscored. The post suggests that fungi may not play a significant role in the decay process until later stages, and various organisms contribute to recycling the body.
Adipocere Formation: The post discusses the formation of adipocere, a waxy substance derived from body fat, which can preserve parts of the body for decades. Factors such as soil conditions, clothing, and depth of burial may contribute to the formation of adipocere, potentially hindering efficient decomposition.
Bio-Remediation Need: The skepticism extends to the need for extensive bio-remediation of cadaver toxins. The post questions whether such detoxification is necessary, given the natural decay processes and the likely dilution of toxins after burial.
Need for Region-Specific Techniques: The post concludes by calling for a better understanding of the decay process in natural burial practices. It suggests the development of region-specific techniques that consider factors such as soil conditions, depth, and microbial activity for efficient nutrient recycling.
In summary, the skepticism expressed in the post revolves around the scientific basis, choice of fungi, and the intricate ecological factors involved in the decay process of buried bodies, questioning the feasibility of the proposed mushroom suit concept.
Is this what AI writing looks like? Click bait title and then pages and pages of rambling about some trivia BS that has nothing to do with it? If a person wrote this, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you feel that this is worth publishing.
I thought there would be cocktails. I would've liked more depth on almost any part of this.