Thought Box: Dude, where's my free will?

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:33:22 +0000

On the sun-baked plains of the African savannah, the acacia trees stand tall as a beacon of life amidst the arid landscape. Their leaves, a source of succulent sustenance, attract the long-necked giraffes, their towering frames casting long shadows as they graze. But the acacia trees are not passive participants in this ecosystem. They possess a remarkable defence mechanism. As a giraffe munches on one of the tree’s leaves, the tree releases toxins (tannin) that make the predator feel slightly nauseous, encouraging it to move on, sparing the leaves in the process.