Seeders: A Novel Read Online Free PDF

Hierarchy of Life on Earth by Julian Beecher. “It was very amusing, by the way.”
    Jules doubted the remark was meant as a compliment, but said, “Thank you.”
    “I especially like the introduction.” The reporter began reading from a page bookmarked with a yellow sticky note. “‘Humans have long been under the delusion that we are somehow autonomous from the rest of nature, elevated above all of earth’s creatures. So terrified are we of losing our exalted status, we cling to the anthropocentric notion that we are the only intelligent life on earth.’”
    Jules felt all the blood in his body suddenly rush to his cheeks, burning hot and tingly. It had been decades since he was faced with a contentious reporter. He threw a gaze to Schroeder, who was frowning deeply.
    “I think that’s a very insightful introduction,” said Wired . “I couldn’t agree more with that statement.”
    Enquirer dropped the book on the table with a thud. “So let me get this straight: You’re saying humans are on the same level as a petunia?”
    Jules stared at the man. This kind of hostility always came from the same sort. Insecure hacks who got their kicks tearing down ideas too advanced for their small minds. No doubt he came for the free dinner as well. Nonetheless, Jules was resigned to keep his dignity and humor, and so he smiled jovially. “I was merely pointing out the fact that nonhumans, even plants, are more similar to us than we realize. Did you know that humans and chimpanzees share ninety-six percent of the same genes? Humans and cats share almost ninety percent. And nearly sixty percent of genes are shared between humans and asparagus.”
    There were bits of laughter around the table.
    “Well, blimey, ol’ chap,” Enquirer said, in mockery of Jules’s accent. “Obviously you have a different definition of intelligence than the rest of the planet.”
    Jules tried to control his anger as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He didn’t like being made a fool, yet he couldn’t remember the protocol. Should he ignore the man or confront him with facts? His tone became more firm than friendly. “Darwin believed that intelligence is based on how efficient a species becomes at doing the things they need to survive. If you were to think in those terms, plants are actually more intelligent than humans. For seven hundred million years, they’ve graced the earth with nourishment, oxygen, and beauty. And for two hundred thousand years, mankind has scorched and raped our planet, seeming almost driven to destroy the environment—and, might I add, ourselves.”
    Enquirer scoffed, “It’s really simple, Beecher. You can’t have intelligence without a brain.”
    The other reporters at the table fidgeted uneasily.
    Jules felt his heart pounding. It was obvious the man was an idiot. “Science has already proven that plants can breathe without lungs, digest without a stomach, move without muscles, and transmit electrical signals without a nervous system. So is it unreasonable to assume they can think without a brain?”
    “I can’t believe you’re sitting here comparing plants to humans. They’re vegetation, as similar to humans as my shoe.”
    Jules had stopped listening. He thought about how sheltered he’d been, surrounded by equal minds who thought as he did. He’d become widely regarded as a cerebral scientist known for a reserved manner and friendly charm. Yet two minutes with this reporter and Jules wanted to beat the man to death. He could picture his hands wrapped around that skinny neck.
    “Bunch of crap,” Enquirer muttered.
    Jules blinked and forced his voice steady. “We’ve known for a hundred years, since the work of Jagadish Chandra Bose, that plants can feel fatigue, empathy, irritability, and even pain. That’s not even debatable at this point.”
    Schroeder was shaking his head.
    Jules turned to the woman from Wired, beaming in an attempt to lighten the mood. “Did you know that a plant