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6 Degrees Entertainment

'NOVA: Secret Mind of Slime'
(DVD / PG / 2020 / PBS)

Overview: Who says you need brains to be smart? Extremely primitive life forms called slime molds can navigate mazes, choose between foods, and create efficient networks no brain required.

New research on these organisms, which are neither plant nor animal, could help reveal the fundamental rules underlying all decision making.

DVD Verdict: In this fun new documentary, we discover that slime molds look like something out of science fiction, but these primitive, forest-dwelling organisms are very real.

Now, scientists from across the globe team up to put one particular species, the electric yellow Physarum polycephalum, to the test.

Fueled by oatmeal, these brainless blobs spread out in web-like patterns to navigate mazes and create efficient networks. They can even learn to tolerate chemical obstacles to reach their next meal.

Can these remarkable organisms, which are neither plant nor animal, redefine intelligence and decision-making?

'Secret Mind of Slime' from PBS tells us that slime is recognized as a Non-Newtonian fluid. This means that it is not considered a solid or a liquid.

Indeed, Issac Newton, a well-known scientist, revealed how liquids are affected by water and temperature. However, slime goes against this statement and, thus, is a Non-Newtonian fluid.

Slime mold (or slime mould) is an informal name given to several kinds of unrelated eukaryotic organisms that can live freely as single cells, but can aggregate together to form multicellular reproductive structures.

Furthermore, slime molds were formerly classified as fungi but are no longer considered part of that kingdom. Although not forming a single monophyletic clade, they are grouped within the paraphyletic group referred to as kingdom Protista.

More than 900 species of slime mold occur globally. Their common name refers to part of some of these organisms' life cycles where they can appear as gelatinous "slime".

This is mostly seen with the Myxogastria, which are the only macroscopic slime molds. Most slime molds are smaller than a few centimeters, but some species may reach sizes up to several square meters and masses up to 20 kilograms.

Oh, and "Slime" was invented by Mattel Toys in 1976. While creating slime, the toy company wanted the oozing substance to be gross as possible.

Thus, slime was first created as a light green material which you could find in a little green trash can. The trash can toy was sealed with a lid to keep the slime fresh and ready for use. Children all around the U.S. loved this oozing slime!

OK, sure, that last bit was just for fun, but this new documentary is fun to watch along with and is very informative (but sure, all Slime shown is in its natural color!) This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.

www.PBS.org





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