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Transcript: Smart Slime
A child says, WHEE!
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
In a forest, mould grows on a tree trunk.
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her dark brown hair is in two braids. She wears a red vest, a black and white striped shirt and pale blue jeans.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, WHAT IF THERE WAS A SPECIES OUT THERE UNLIKE ANY OTHER? A COLOURFUL BLOB THAT GROWS, EATS AND MAKES DECISIONS.
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her dark brown hair is pulled into a ponytail, and she wears a red vest and a red sweater. Aerial video footage shows a road separating trees from farmer’s fields. The leaves on the trees are green, orange, red, and yellow.
Taviss narrates, IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING FROM OUTER SPACE, BUT IT'S RIGHT HERE ON EARTH. DARE WE HUNT DOWN THE STRANGEST FOREST FIND EVER?
Taviss says, LET'S DO IT.
[Inspiring music plays]
Taviss runs on a dirt path lined with tall grass on both sides.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
Taviss pushes tall grass to the side and runs towards a tree. She leans against the trunk.
[Grass rustling, exciting music plays]
Taviss narrates, OUR ADVENTURE TODAY TAKES PLACE ON THE SHARED TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE ANISHINAABE AND HAUDENOSAUNEE PEOPLES. ON THIS LAND TODAY YOU CAN NOW FIND LAUREL CREEK CONSERVATION AREA.
A black and white bird perches on a tree branch.
[Bird singing]
Taviss narrates, THIS SEEMINGLY ORDINARY FOREST IS HOME TO A WILDLY WEIRD ORGANISM.
A slime mould spreads across a flat blue surface.
[Dramatic whooshing, eerie music plays, bubbling]
Taviss narrates, SLIME MOULD! THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S CALLED!
[Whooshing, tinkling]
Dr. Nirosha Murugan crouches between tree trunks growing sideways, close to the ground. She has long, wavy brown hair and wears eyeglasses and a blue jacket. Nirosha walks on a path through long grass. She studies the side of one of the tree trunks.
MEET DOCTOR NIROSHA MURUGAN. SHE'S A SCIENTIST AT LAURIER UNIVERSITY. NIROSHA HAS HER P.H.D. IN BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCE. SO EVEN THOUGH MOLECULES ARE SUPER SMALL, THAT'S A BIG DEAL.
Taviss steps over a fallen tree.
[Rustling]
Taviss narrates, I'M ON THE HUNT FOR SLIME MOULD, BUT I KIND OF, SORT OF HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO LOOK FOR. IS IT LIKE A FUNGUS OR A LICHEN? HELP ME, DR. NIROSHA.
Taviss and Nirosha walk towards each other on a grassy path between the tall grass.
Taviss says, SO, NIROSHA, WHAT ON EARTH IS A SLIME MOULD?
Nirosha says, SO SLIME MOULD, ALSO KNOWN AS PHYSARUM, SCIENTIFICALLY, ARE NOT A FUNGUS OR A MOULD AT ALL. IN FACT, THEY'RE A SINGLE-CELL ORGANISM, WHAT WE CALL AN AMOEBA OR A PROTIST. AND, EASILY, IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE STRANGEST THINGS THAT YOU FIND IN THE FOREST.
[Whooshing, applause]
An animated yellow slime mould stands on a stage and holds a trophy with the word “Strangest” on the front.
The slime mould says, AND I'M PROUD OF IT TOO.
[Applause, cheering]
[Chiming, whooshing]
Taviss and Nirosha stand on the grassy path.
[Ambient music plays softly]
Nirosha explains, SO, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE ACTUALLY ONLY MADE UP OF ONE SINGLE CELL, THEY CAN GROW SO LARGE THAT WE CAN SEE THEM WITH OUR NAKED EYE.
Taviss says, THAT SOUNDS OUT OF THIS WORLD. LIKE, LITERALLY. I WANT TO FIND ONE. WHERE DO WE START?
Nirosha says, SO, SINCE PHYSARUM ACTUALLY DOESN'T LIKE A LOT OF SUNLIGHT, WE CAN FIND THEM UNDER DARK CANOPY OR ROTTEN WOODY AREAS.
Taviss narrates, WOODY AREA? CHECK. DARK FOREST? CHECK.
[Birds singing]
Taviss and Nirosha walk on the path towards the forest.
Taviss says, WELL, LET THE SLIME MOULD SEARCH BEGIN. I THINK THIS SPECIES IS REALLY GOING TO BREAK THE MOULD.
[Drum sting plays, cymbal]
Nirosha says, NICE ONE.
[Gentle music plays]
In the forest, Taviss and Nirosha look at fallen tree branches.
Taviss narrates, I'M KIND OF A FOREST EXPERT, SO I'M PROBABLY A SLIME MOULD EXPERT TOO.
Taviss says, I THINK I FOUND ONE.
Nirosha says, OH. LET'S SEE.
Taviss says, THIS HAS TO BE IT. HAS A BUNCH OF WEIRD BLACK BLOBS.
Nirosha says, AH, NOW THAT'S AN EASY MISTAKE TO MAKE. THAT IS ACTUALLY LICHEN.
[Record scratch]
Taviss narrates, RIGHT. NIROSHA'S A LEGIT SLIME MOULD EXPERT.
Nirosha says, SO PHYSARUM, OR SLIME MOULD, CAN LOOK LIKE A LICHEN, AND LICHEN CAN TAKE ON ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES, BUT THAT'S ACTUALLY LICHEN.
Taviss says, SO WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Nirosha says, SO PHYSARUM IS ACTUALLY YELLOW. IT FORMS VEINS AND NETWORKS WHICH GROWS ALL OVER THE TREE BRANCHES. SLIME MOULD DOESN'T LIKE LIGHT AND WE'RE SURROUNDED BY IT. SO THE SEARCH CONTINUES.
Taviss and Nirosha check the underside of fallen branches.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, HMM, A YELLOW NET THINGAMAJIG. SOUNDS EASY ENOUGH. HERE, SLIMY SLIME MOULDS. HERE, SLIMY SLIME MOULDS.
[Taviss gasping]
Taviss picks up bark with yellow slime mould on the top.
Taviss says, I THINK I FOUND IT.
Nirosha says, WELL DONE, TAVISS.
THIS IS SLIME MOULD. THE SCIENTIFIC NAME FOR THIS IS PHYSARUM POLYCEPHALUM. AND GET THIS: THE COMMON NAME IS DOG VOMIT.
[Record scratch]
Taviss narrates, IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE BOTH AMAZED AND GROSSED OUT? 'CAUSE I'M THAT: GROSS-MAZED!
Taviss says, YEAH, IT KIND OF DOES LOOK LIKE DOG VOMIT. I CAN SEE ITS VEINS AND ITS GOOPINESS. IT'S STRANGE.
Nirosha says, IT IS, BUT IT'S ALSO PRETTY EXCITING. THAT GLOOPY BLOBBINESS IS ACTUALLY PART OF ITS BODY AND SHAPE. ALL OF THE VEINS ACTUALLY CONNECT TOGETHER TO FORM THIS BIG, INTERCONNECTED NETWORK THAT CAN GROW ALONG THE FOREST FLOOR.
AND GIVEN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT, IT CAN GROW UP TO SEVERAL METERS LONG. AND, REMEMBER, AS BIG AS IT CAN GET, IT'S STILL ONLY ONE CELL.
Taviss says, WHOA! HOW DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS EVEN GROW?
Nirosha says, IT NEEDS TO HAVE THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE, THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FOOD, THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF WATER AND MOISTURE FOR IT TO START TO CONNECT TOGETHER, TO GROW AND EAT ALONG THE BARK.
Taviss asks, SO, IS THIS A SMALL SLIME MOULD?
Nirosha says, YEAH, IT'S PRETTY SMALL, BUT WITH THE RIGHT CONDITIONS, IT'LL KEEP GROWING AND GROWING, DEVELOPING A HUGE NETWORK.
In an animation, a yellow slime mould sits at the base of a tree in sunlight.
The slime mould says, UH, TOO LIGHT.
The slime mould slides into a dark spot beneath a tree.
[Slide whistle, squelching]
The slime mould says, OH, TOO DARK.
[Slide whistle, squelching]
The slime mould slides to the base of a different tree.
The slime mould says, JUST RIGHT.
The slime mould grows on the tree trunk.
[Rustling]
[Upbeat music plays]
In the forest, Taviss says, THIS THING MUST BE SO WEIRD WHEN IT'S HUGE.
Nirosha says, IT TOTALLY IS. AND ANOTHER WEIRD THING ABOUT SLIME MOULD IS THAT IT COMES IN DIFFERENT COLORS. DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF BARK OR NUTRIENT THAT IT'S ON, IT CAN BE WHITE, ORANGE, PINK.
Taviss asks, MAN, CAN SLIME MOULD GET ANY WEIRDER?
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, PLEASE SAY YES! I LOVE WEIRD.
Nirosha says, OH, YEAH, THEY TOTALLY CAN. AND MY FAVOURITE THING ABOUT PHYSARUM IS THAT THEY ARE INCREDIBLY SMART.
Taviss says, SMART SLIME? NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE SCIENCE FICTION.
Nirosha says, NOPE, THAT'S SCIENCE FACTS. AND TO SEE THESE GUYS IN ACTION, WE GOTTA HEAD OVER TO THE LAB.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, lightning flashes behind the yellow slime mould.
The yellow slime mould shouts, TO THE LABORATORY!
[Exciting music plays, electrical zapping, evil cackling]
[Whooshing]
At Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Nirosha and Taviss walk towards the entrance to the Bricker Academic Building, part of the Laurier University Research Centre.
Taviss narrates, THIS IS LAURIER UNIVERSITY, WHERE DR. NIROSHA WORKS HER MAGIC. AND BY MAGIC, I MEAN SCIENCE.
Taviss and Nirosha exit an elevator and Nirosha opens a laboratory door for Taviss. A sign beside the door reads, “Chemistry Instrumentation Lab.”
[Elevator dings, door creaks]
Taviss and Nirosha wear white laboratory coats. Nirosha has her hair in a bun and sits in front of a keyboard attached to a machine with an eyepiece at the top.
[Upbeat music plays]
Nirosha says, SO HERE WE GO. WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE IS SLIME MOULD. ALL OF THIS IS ONE SINGLE CELL, RIGHT?
Nirosha gestures at a monitor that displays a magnified greenish-yellow slime mould with thick veins throughout.
Taviss says, RIGHT.
The monitor displays a small round maze with a slime mould at an opening on the side of the maze. In the centre of the maze are seven small oats.
Nirosha says, CHECK OUT THIS MAZE. THIS IS ONE WAY THAT WE CAN SEE HOW SMART PHYSARUM IS. SO IN THE BEGINNING OF THE MAZE, WE HAVE OUR PIECE OF PHYSARUM. AND RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE AT THE EXIT, WE HAVE OATS, WHICH IT LOVES TO EAT. THAT'S THEIR BAIT.
AND WE CAN SEE THAT PHYSARUM CAN SOLVE THIS MAZE WITHOUT HAVING TO EXPLORE ITS ENVIRONMENT. ISN'T THAT AMAZING?
Taviss asks, SO, WHY WOULD A SLIME MOULD, A THING FROM THE FOREST, WANT TO SOLVE A MAZE?
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, I NEED ANSWERS.
Nirosha says, EXCELLENT QUESTION. SO, REMEMBER WHEN WE SAW THE PHYSARUM IN THE FOREST? IT GROWS ON THE FOREST FLOOR EATING BACTERIA, BUT IN THE LAB IT ACTUALLY EATS OATS. SO, IT SOLVES THIS MAZE, GETTING TO THE OATS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE 'CAUSE IT'S HUNGRY.
Taviss says, SO IT FINDS THE FASTEST WAY TO THE OATS AND SOLVES THE MAZE.
Nirosha says, THAT'S EXACTLY IT.
[Gong booms]
Taviss narrates, IT'S TIME FOR: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL
TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY.
Text reads, “A little known but still totally true and amazing story.”
[Typing, ding]
A yellow slime mould spreads over a graphic of a city map.
[Squelching]
Taviss narrates, ONCE UPON A TIME, A SLIME MOULD RECREATED ONE OF THE MOST COMPLEX RAIL SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD. IT CAN TAKE YEARS FOR ENGINEERS TO DESIGN A RAIL SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY THE ONE IN TOKYO, JAPAN.
Trains move on parallel tracks. A maps displays the location of Tokyo in Japan.
[Train rattling, upbeat music plays]
A woman looks at a map on a wall. People walk across a large train station.
Taviss narrates, IT'S LIKE A BIG MAZE, BUT FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.
In a laboratory, a researcher peers into a microscope.
Taviss narrates, RESEARCHERS DID AN EXPERIMENT BY PLACING OATS IN A PATTERN THAT MATCHED THE RAILWAY DESTINATIONS. THEN THEY SET THE SLIME MOULD LOOSE.
A slime moves across a blue surface.
[Squelching]
Taviss narrates, IT CREATED ALMOST THE EXACT SAME ROUTE TO THE ONES THE ENGINEERS MADE, BUT IN ONLY A DAY.
A train moves quickly on a track.
[Train rattles]
Taviss narrates, SO THE NEXT TIME YOU TRAVEL, MAYBE ASK A SLIME MOULD FOR DIRECTIONS.
THIS HAS BEEN: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY!
[Typing, dinging]
[Gentle music plays]
In the laboratory, Nirosha says, JUST LIKE HOW PHYSARUM IS VERY PICKY IN HOW IT GROWS IN THE FOREST, IT'S ALSO PICKY IN TERMS OF WHAT IT EATS IN THE LAB.
Taviss asks, PICKY LIKE HOW?
Nirosha replies, SO, IT WON'T ACTUALLY SOLVE THIS MAZE IF YOU GIVE IT ANY KIND OF OATS. ODDLY ENOUGH, IT ONLY LIKES ONE BRAND OF WHOLE WHEAT OATS
Taviss says, A PICKY BLOB. NOW I'VE HEARD IT ALL.
[Taviss chuckling]
[Whooshing]
In an animation, the yellow slime mould is seated at a table with a patio umbrella over it. A bowl of oats is on the table in front of the mould.
The slime mould says, EXCUSE ME, I ASKED FOR WHOLE GRAIN OATS.
A red cardinal lands beside the mould. The mould rolls its eyes.
The slime mould says, THESE ARE ORGANIC.
The cardinal says, MMM...
[Whooshing]
[Gentle music plays]
In the laboratory, Nirosha says, LICHEN WON'T SOLVE A MAZE NO MATTER WHAT YOU USE AS BAIT. LICHEN WILL NOT UNDERGO THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS THAT SLIME MOULD DOES.
Taviss says, AND SLIME MOULD DOES IT ALL WITHOUT A BRAIN?
Nirosha says, YEP. NO BRAIN. IT USES WHAT WE CALL SHUTTLE STREAMING TO DO THE DECISION MAKING. CHECK THIS OUT.
Fluorescent green flows quickly in streams on a black background.
Taviss asks, WHAT IS THAT?
Nirosha says, THIS IS SHUTTLE STREAMING. THIS IS HOW PHYSARUM MOVES INFORMATION THROUGHOUT ITS BODY. WHAT WE DID WAS WE PUT THESE FLUORESCENT GREEN DOTS INSIDE OF THE VEINS SO WE CAN SEE HOW THAT INFORMATION MOVES. AND IT ACTUALLY MOVES IN REAL TIME THIS FAST THROUGHOUT ALL OF ITS BRANCHES.
Taviss says, SO IT GROWS WHEN IT'S MOVING AND SENDING ITS MESSAGES.
Nirosha says, YEP.
Taviss says, NICE.
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
Standing on fallen leaves, Taviss plays a rake like it is a guitar.
[Rock music plays]
Taviss shouts, IT'S FALL! AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. THERE ARE PLENTY OF LEAVES, SO I'M GOING TO PLAY IN THEM.
Taviss rakes leaves.
Taviss cheers, WOO-HOO!
[Leaves rustling, rock music continues]
Taviss shouts, RAKING'S HARD WORK. SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK? BIG ENOUGH PILE?
Taviss looks at a pile of leaves.
Taviss shouts, OH, YEAH. READY! SET! GO!
Taviss jumps into the pile of leaves. She lies there and smiles.
Taviss shouts, AH, THIS IS THE LIFE.
She throws leaves over her head.
[Leaves rustling]
[Rock music fades away, whooshing]
[Gentle music plays]
In the laboratory, Nirosha says, SLIME MOULD HAS INTELLIGENCE IN ITS MOST BASIC FORM,
Taviss asks, SO, WHAT CAN WE EVEN LEARN FROM IT THEN?
Nirosha gestures at a magnification of a slime mould on the monitor.
Nirosha says, THIS RIGHT HERE IS A GREAT WAY FOR US TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT INTELLIGENCE REALLY IS. FOR A LONG TIME WE'VE BEEN STUDYING VERY COMPLEX INTELLIGENCE AND YET WE DON'T REALLY KNOW THAT MUCH.
RECENTLY WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, WHICH IS EXTREMELY COMPLEX, AND THANKS TO SLIME MOULD, WE CAN ACTUALLY LOOK AT IT FROM A SIMPLER WAY AND GET TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT INTELLIGENCE REALLY IS.
Taviss asks, SO, IF WE LEARN ABOUT IT IN A SIMPLE WAY, WE CAN UNDERSTAND IT IN A BIG WAY?
Nirosha gives Taviss a petri dish with a yellow slime inside.
Nirosha says, YOU GOT IT. WHICH IS WHY I'M GIFTING YOU WITH YOUR VERY OWN SLIME MOULD. NOW YOU CAN EXPLORE HOW AMAZINGLY INTELLIGENT SLIME MOULD CAN BE.
Taviss cheers, I GET MY VERY OWN SMART SLIME! THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Nirosha says, YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU TAKE A PIECE AND YOU CUT IT UP INTO 50 DIFFERENT SEGMENTS, YOU'RE GOING TO GET 50 DIFFERENT SLIME MOULDS.
[Taviss gasping]
Taviss says, AH, I'M GONNA GIVE ONE TO MY MOM, MY SISTER, MY DAD, MY COUSIN, MY FRIEND EMMA, MY FRIEND CHELSEA, MY FRIEND AMELIA, MY FRIEND KANAI, MY FRIEND KAMANI, MY FRIEND ASHAYLA.
[Nirosha laughing, cymbal crashes]
Taviss narrates, SLIME MOULD FOR ALL!
[Whooshing]
The yellow slime mould spreads across the blue surface. In the laboratory, Nirosha and Taviss look at the monitor displaying the slime mould in the maze.
[Squelching, gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, SLIME MOULDS ARE MADE OF A SINGLE CELL BUT CAN GROW INFINITELY. THEY HAVE WILD FORMS AND EVEN WILDER NAMES, LIKE DOG VOMIT. THEY CAN SOLVE PUZZLES LIKE MAZES AND SHOW US INTELLIGENCE AT ITS EARLIEST FORM. SLIME MOULD PROVES THAT WE CAN LEARN SO MUCH FROM SOMETHING SO STRANGE.
Crouching by scattered leaves on grass, Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT.
She stands and shouts, SLIME MOULDS ARE STRANGELY SMART!
[Inspiring music plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Taylor Annisette. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Nirosha Murugan. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
In a forest, mould grows on a tree trunk.
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her dark brown hair is in two braids. She wears a red vest, a black and white striped shirt and pale blue jeans.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, WHAT IF THERE WAS A SPECIES OUT THERE UNLIKE ANY OTHER? A COLOURFUL BLOB THAT GROWS, EATS AND MAKES DECISIONS.
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her dark brown hair is pulled into a ponytail, and she wears a red vest and a red sweater. Aerial video footage shows a road separating trees from farmer’s fields. The leaves on the trees are green, orange, red, and yellow.
Taviss narrates, IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING FROM OUTER SPACE, BUT IT'S RIGHT HERE ON EARTH. DARE WE HUNT DOWN THE STRANGEST FOREST FIND EVER?
Taviss says, LET'S DO IT.
[Inspiring music plays]
Taviss runs on a dirt path lined with tall grass on both sides.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
Taviss pushes tall grass to the side and runs towards a tree. She leans against the trunk.
[Grass rustling, exciting music plays]
Taviss narrates, OUR ADVENTURE TODAY TAKES PLACE ON THE SHARED TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE ANISHINAABE AND HAUDENOSAUNEE PEOPLES. ON THIS LAND TODAY YOU CAN NOW FIND LAUREL CREEK CONSERVATION AREA.
A black and white bird perches on a tree branch.
[Bird singing]
Taviss narrates, THIS SEEMINGLY ORDINARY FOREST IS HOME TO A WILDLY WEIRD ORGANISM.
A slime mould spreads across a flat blue surface.
[Dramatic whooshing, eerie music plays, bubbling]
Taviss narrates, SLIME MOULD! THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S CALLED!
[Whooshing, tinkling]
Dr. Nirosha Murugan crouches between tree trunks growing sideways, close to the ground. She has long, wavy brown hair and wears eyeglasses and a blue jacket. Nirosha walks on a path through long grass. She studies the side of one of the tree trunks.
MEET DOCTOR NIROSHA MURUGAN. SHE'S A SCIENTIST AT LAURIER UNIVERSITY. NIROSHA HAS HER P.H.D. IN BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCE. SO EVEN THOUGH MOLECULES ARE SUPER SMALL, THAT'S A BIG DEAL.
Taviss steps over a fallen tree.
[Rustling]
Taviss narrates, I'M ON THE HUNT FOR SLIME MOULD, BUT I KIND OF, SORT OF HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO LOOK FOR. IS IT LIKE A FUNGUS OR A LICHEN? HELP ME, DR. NIROSHA.
Taviss and Nirosha walk towards each other on a grassy path between the tall grass.
Taviss says, SO, NIROSHA, WHAT ON EARTH IS A SLIME MOULD?
Nirosha says, SO SLIME MOULD, ALSO KNOWN AS PHYSARUM, SCIENTIFICALLY, ARE NOT A FUNGUS OR A MOULD AT ALL. IN FACT, THEY'RE A SINGLE-CELL ORGANISM, WHAT WE CALL AN AMOEBA OR A PROTIST. AND, EASILY, IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE STRANGEST THINGS THAT YOU FIND IN THE FOREST.
[Whooshing, applause]
An animated yellow slime mould stands on a stage and holds a trophy with the word “Strangest” on the front.
The slime mould says, AND I'M PROUD OF IT TOO.
[Applause, cheering]
[Chiming, whooshing]
Taviss and Nirosha stand on the grassy path.
[Ambient music plays softly]
Nirosha explains, SO, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE ACTUALLY ONLY MADE UP OF ONE SINGLE CELL, THEY CAN GROW SO LARGE THAT WE CAN SEE THEM WITH OUR NAKED EYE.
Taviss says, THAT SOUNDS OUT OF THIS WORLD. LIKE, LITERALLY. I WANT TO FIND ONE. WHERE DO WE START?
Nirosha says, SO, SINCE PHYSARUM ACTUALLY DOESN'T LIKE A LOT OF SUNLIGHT, WE CAN FIND THEM UNDER DARK CANOPY OR ROTTEN WOODY AREAS.
Taviss narrates, WOODY AREA? CHECK. DARK FOREST? CHECK.
[Birds singing]
Taviss and Nirosha walk on the path towards the forest.
Taviss says, WELL, LET THE SLIME MOULD SEARCH BEGIN. I THINK THIS SPECIES IS REALLY GOING TO BREAK THE MOULD.
[Drum sting plays, cymbal]
Nirosha says, NICE ONE.
[Gentle music plays]
In the forest, Taviss and Nirosha look at fallen tree branches.
Taviss narrates, I'M KIND OF A FOREST EXPERT, SO I'M PROBABLY A SLIME MOULD EXPERT TOO.
Taviss says, I THINK I FOUND ONE.
Nirosha says, OH. LET'S SEE.
Taviss says, THIS HAS TO BE IT. HAS A BUNCH OF WEIRD BLACK BLOBS.
Nirosha says, AH, NOW THAT'S AN EASY MISTAKE TO MAKE. THAT IS ACTUALLY LICHEN.
[Record scratch]
Taviss narrates, RIGHT. NIROSHA'S A LEGIT SLIME MOULD EXPERT.
Nirosha says, SO PHYSARUM, OR SLIME MOULD, CAN LOOK LIKE A LICHEN, AND LICHEN CAN TAKE ON ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES, BUT THAT'S ACTUALLY LICHEN.
Taviss says, SO WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Nirosha says, SO PHYSARUM IS ACTUALLY YELLOW. IT FORMS VEINS AND NETWORKS WHICH GROWS ALL OVER THE TREE BRANCHES. SLIME MOULD DOESN'T LIKE LIGHT AND WE'RE SURROUNDED BY IT. SO THE SEARCH CONTINUES.
Taviss and Nirosha check the underside of fallen branches.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, HMM, A YELLOW NET THINGAMAJIG. SOUNDS EASY ENOUGH. HERE, SLIMY SLIME MOULDS. HERE, SLIMY SLIME MOULDS.
[Taviss gasping]
Taviss picks up bark with yellow slime mould on the top.
Taviss says, I THINK I FOUND IT.
Nirosha says, WELL DONE, TAVISS.
THIS IS SLIME MOULD. THE SCIENTIFIC NAME FOR THIS IS PHYSARUM POLYCEPHALUM. AND GET THIS: THE COMMON NAME IS DOG VOMIT.
[Record scratch]
Taviss narrates, IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE BOTH AMAZED AND GROSSED OUT? 'CAUSE I'M THAT: GROSS-MAZED!
Taviss says, YEAH, IT KIND OF DOES LOOK LIKE DOG VOMIT. I CAN SEE ITS VEINS AND ITS GOOPINESS. IT'S STRANGE.
Nirosha says, IT IS, BUT IT'S ALSO PRETTY EXCITING. THAT GLOOPY BLOBBINESS IS ACTUALLY PART OF ITS BODY AND SHAPE. ALL OF THE VEINS ACTUALLY CONNECT TOGETHER TO FORM THIS BIG, INTERCONNECTED NETWORK THAT CAN GROW ALONG THE FOREST FLOOR.
AND GIVEN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT, IT CAN GROW UP TO SEVERAL METERS LONG. AND, REMEMBER, AS BIG AS IT CAN GET, IT'S STILL ONLY ONE CELL.
Taviss says, WHOA! HOW DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS EVEN GROW?
Nirosha says, IT NEEDS TO HAVE THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE, THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FOOD, THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF WATER AND MOISTURE FOR IT TO START TO CONNECT TOGETHER, TO GROW AND EAT ALONG THE BARK.
Taviss asks, SO, IS THIS A SMALL SLIME MOULD?
Nirosha says, YEAH, IT'S PRETTY SMALL, BUT WITH THE RIGHT CONDITIONS, IT'LL KEEP GROWING AND GROWING, DEVELOPING A HUGE NETWORK.
In an animation, a yellow slime mould sits at the base of a tree in sunlight.
The slime mould says, UH, TOO LIGHT.
The slime mould slides into a dark spot beneath a tree.
[Slide whistle, squelching]
The slime mould says, OH, TOO DARK.
[Slide whistle, squelching]
The slime mould slides to the base of a different tree.
The slime mould says, JUST RIGHT.
The slime mould grows on the tree trunk.
[Rustling]
[Upbeat music plays]
In the forest, Taviss says, THIS THING MUST BE SO WEIRD WHEN IT'S HUGE.
Nirosha says, IT TOTALLY IS. AND ANOTHER WEIRD THING ABOUT SLIME MOULD IS THAT IT COMES IN DIFFERENT COLORS. DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF BARK OR NUTRIENT THAT IT'S ON, IT CAN BE WHITE, ORANGE, PINK.
Taviss asks, MAN, CAN SLIME MOULD GET ANY WEIRDER?
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, PLEASE SAY YES! I LOVE WEIRD.
Nirosha says, OH, YEAH, THEY TOTALLY CAN. AND MY FAVOURITE THING ABOUT PHYSARUM IS THAT THEY ARE INCREDIBLY SMART.
Taviss says, SMART SLIME? NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE SCIENCE FICTION.
Nirosha says, NOPE, THAT'S SCIENCE FACTS. AND TO SEE THESE GUYS IN ACTION, WE GOTTA HEAD OVER TO THE LAB.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, lightning flashes behind the yellow slime mould.
The yellow slime mould shouts, TO THE LABORATORY!
[Exciting music plays, electrical zapping, evil cackling]
[Whooshing]
At Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Nirosha and Taviss walk towards the entrance to the Bricker Academic Building, part of the Laurier University Research Centre.
Taviss narrates, THIS IS LAURIER UNIVERSITY, WHERE DR. NIROSHA WORKS HER MAGIC. AND BY MAGIC, I MEAN SCIENCE.
Taviss and Nirosha exit an elevator and Nirosha opens a laboratory door for Taviss. A sign beside the door reads, “Chemistry Instrumentation Lab.”
[Elevator dings, door creaks]
Taviss and Nirosha wear white laboratory coats. Nirosha has her hair in a bun and sits in front of a keyboard attached to a machine with an eyepiece at the top.
[Upbeat music plays]
Nirosha says, SO HERE WE GO. WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE IS SLIME MOULD. ALL OF THIS IS ONE SINGLE CELL, RIGHT?
Nirosha gestures at a monitor that displays a magnified greenish-yellow slime mould with thick veins throughout.
Taviss says, RIGHT.
The monitor displays a small round maze with a slime mould at an opening on the side of the maze. In the centre of the maze are seven small oats.
Nirosha says, CHECK OUT THIS MAZE. THIS IS ONE WAY THAT WE CAN SEE HOW SMART PHYSARUM IS. SO IN THE BEGINNING OF THE MAZE, WE HAVE OUR PIECE OF PHYSARUM. AND RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE AT THE EXIT, WE HAVE OATS, WHICH IT LOVES TO EAT. THAT'S THEIR BAIT.
AND WE CAN SEE THAT PHYSARUM CAN SOLVE THIS MAZE WITHOUT HAVING TO EXPLORE ITS ENVIRONMENT. ISN'T THAT AMAZING?
Taviss asks, SO, WHY WOULD A SLIME MOULD, A THING FROM THE FOREST, WANT TO SOLVE A MAZE?
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, I NEED ANSWERS.
Nirosha says, EXCELLENT QUESTION. SO, REMEMBER WHEN WE SAW THE PHYSARUM IN THE FOREST? IT GROWS ON THE FOREST FLOOR EATING BACTERIA, BUT IN THE LAB IT ACTUALLY EATS OATS. SO, IT SOLVES THIS MAZE, GETTING TO THE OATS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE 'CAUSE IT'S HUNGRY.
Taviss says, SO IT FINDS THE FASTEST WAY TO THE OATS AND SOLVES THE MAZE.
Nirosha says, THAT'S EXACTLY IT.
[Gong booms]
Taviss narrates, IT'S TIME FOR: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL
TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY.
Text reads, “A little known but still totally true and amazing story.”
[Typing, ding]
A yellow slime mould spreads over a graphic of a city map.
[Squelching]
Taviss narrates, ONCE UPON A TIME, A SLIME MOULD RECREATED ONE OF THE MOST COMPLEX RAIL SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD. IT CAN TAKE YEARS FOR ENGINEERS TO DESIGN A RAIL SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY THE ONE IN TOKYO, JAPAN.
Trains move on parallel tracks. A maps displays the location of Tokyo in Japan.
[Train rattling, upbeat music plays]
A woman looks at a map on a wall. People walk across a large train station.
Taviss narrates, IT'S LIKE A BIG MAZE, BUT FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.
In a laboratory, a researcher peers into a microscope.
Taviss narrates, RESEARCHERS DID AN EXPERIMENT BY PLACING OATS IN A PATTERN THAT MATCHED THE RAILWAY DESTINATIONS. THEN THEY SET THE SLIME MOULD LOOSE.
A slime moves across a blue surface.
[Squelching]
Taviss narrates, IT CREATED ALMOST THE EXACT SAME ROUTE TO THE ONES THE ENGINEERS MADE, BUT IN ONLY A DAY.
A train moves quickly on a track.
[Train rattles]
Taviss narrates, SO THE NEXT TIME YOU TRAVEL, MAYBE ASK A SLIME MOULD FOR DIRECTIONS.
THIS HAS BEEN: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY!
[Typing, dinging]
[Gentle music plays]
In the laboratory, Nirosha says, JUST LIKE HOW PHYSARUM IS VERY PICKY IN HOW IT GROWS IN THE FOREST, IT'S ALSO PICKY IN TERMS OF WHAT IT EATS IN THE LAB.
Taviss asks, PICKY LIKE HOW?
Nirosha replies, SO, IT WON'T ACTUALLY SOLVE THIS MAZE IF YOU GIVE IT ANY KIND OF OATS. ODDLY ENOUGH, IT ONLY LIKES ONE BRAND OF WHOLE WHEAT OATS
Taviss says, A PICKY BLOB. NOW I'VE HEARD IT ALL.
[Taviss chuckling]
[Whooshing]
In an animation, the yellow slime mould is seated at a table with a patio umbrella over it. A bowl of oats is on the table in front of the mould.
The slime mould says, EXCUSE ME, I ASKED FOR WHOLE GRAIN OATS.
A red cardinal lands beside the mould. The mould rolls its eyes.
The slime mould says, THESE ARE ORGANIC.
The cardinal says, MMM...
[Whooshing]
[Gentle music plays]
In the laboratory, Nirosha says, LICHEN WON'T SOLVE A MAZE NO MATTER WHAT YOU USE AS BAIT. LICHEN WILL NOT UNDERGO THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS THAT SLIME MOULD DOES.
Taviss says, AND SLIME MOULD DOES IT ALL WITHOUT A BRAIN?
Nirosha says, YEP. NO BRAIN. IT USES WHAT WE CALL SHUTTLE STREAMING TO DO THE DECISION MAKING. CHECK THIS OUT.
Fluorescent green flows quickly in streams on a black background.
Taviss asks, WHAT IS THAT?
Nirosha says, THIS IS SHUTTLE STREAMING. THIS IS HOW PHYSARUM MOVES INFORMATION THROUGHOUT ITS BODY. WHAT WE DID WAS WE PUT THESE FLUORESCENT GREEN DOTS INSIDE OF THE VEINS SO WE CAN SEE HOW THAT INFORMATION MOVES. AND IT ACTUALLY MOVES IN REAL TIME THIS FAST THROUGHOUT ALL OF ITS BRANCHES.
Taviss says, SO IT GROWS WHEN IT'S MOVING AND SENDING ITS MESSAGES.
Nirosha says, YEP.
Taviss says, NICE.
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
Standing on fallen leaves, Taviss plays a rake like it is a guitar.
[Rock music plays]
Taviss shouts, IT'S FALL! AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. THERE ARE PLENTY OF LEAVES, SO I'M GOING TO PLAY IN THEM.
Taviss rakes leaves.
Taviss cheers, WOO-HOO!
[Leaves rustling, rock music continues]
Taviss shouts, RAKING'S HARD WORK. SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK? BIG ENOUGH PILE?
Taviss looks at a pile of leaves.
Taviss shouts, OH, YEAH. READY! SET! GO!
Taviss jumps into the pile of leaves. She lies there and smiles.
Taviss shouts, AH, THIS IS THE LIFE.
She throws leaves over her head.
[Leaves rustling]
[Rock music fades away, whooshing]
[Gentle music plays]
In the laboratory, Nirosha says, SLIME MOULD HAS INTELLIGENCE IN ITS MOST BASIC FORM,
Taviss asks, SO, WHAT CAN WE EVEN LEARN FROM IT THEN?
Nirosha gestures at a magnification of a slime mould on the monitor.
Nirosha says, THIS RIGHT HERE IS A GREAT WAY FOR US TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT INTELLIGENCE REALLY IS. FOR A LONG TIME WE'VE BEEN STUDYING VERY COMPLEX INTELLIGENCE AND YET WE DON'T REALLY KNOW THAT MUCH.
RECENTLY WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, WHICH IS EXTREMELY COMPLEX, AND THANKS TO SLIME MOULD, WE CAN ACTUALLY LOOK AT IT FROM A SIMPLER WAY AND GET TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT INTELLIGENCE REALLY IS.
Taviss asks, SO, IF WE LEARN ABOUT IT IN A SIMPLE WAY, WE CAN UNDERSTAND IT IN A BIG WAY?
Nirosha gives Taviss a petri dish with a yellow slime inside.
Nirosha says, YOU GOT IT. WHICH IS WHY I'M GIFTING YOU WITH YOUR VERY OWN SLIME MOULD. NOW YOU CAN EXPLORE HOW AMAZINGLY INTELLIGENT SLIME MOULD CAN BE.
Taviss cheers, I GET MY VERY OWN SMART SLIME! THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Nirosha says, YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU TAKE A PIECE AND YOU CUT IT UP INTO 50 DIFFERENT SEGMENTS, YOU'RE GOING TO GET 50 DIFFERENT SLIME MOULDS.
[Taviss gasping]
Taviss says, AH, I'M GONNA GIVE ONE TO MY MOM, MY SISTER, MY DAD, MY COUSIN, MY FRIEND EMMA, MY FRIEND CHELSEA, MY FRIEND AMELIA, MY FRIEND KANAI, MY FRIEND KAMANI, MY FRIEND ASHAYLA.
[Nirosha laughing, cymbal crashes]
Taviss narrates, SLIME MOULD FOR ALL!
[Whooshing]
The yellow slime mould spreads across the blue surface. In the laboratory, Nirosha and Taviss look at the monitor displaying the slime mould in the maze.
[Squelching, gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, SLIME MOULDS ARE MADE OF A SINGLE CELL BUT CAN GROW INFINITELY. THEY HAVE WILD FORMS AND EVEN WILDER NAMES, LIKE DOG VOMIT. THEY CAN SOLVE PUZZLES LIKE MAZES AND SHOW US INTELLIGENCE AT ITS EARLIEST FORM. SLIME MOULD PROVES THAT WE CAN LEARN SO MUCH FROM SOMETHING SO STRANGE.
Crouching by scattered leaves on grass, Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT.
She stands and shouts, SLIME MOULDS ARE STRANGELY SMART!
[Inspiring music plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Taylor Annisette. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Nirosha Murugan. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
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