However, the possible aspect of the Gaia hypothesis that most fascinates me is comparing it to biological evolution and in particular changes in the speed of information transfer within and between organisms.
In particular, we can consider:
- cases where information handling is purely local reflex, with no long distance information transfer
- cases where information transfer is purely chemical, taking place at the speed of chemical relocation (e.g. ant trails, endocrine systems)
- cases where information transfer is pressure based, taking place at the speed of movement of vibrations (e.g. echolocation, audible warning signals in social animals)
- cases where information transfer is electrical, taking place at the speed of light (e.g. visual signalling, neural systems)