If humans suddenly disappeared from planet earththis planet would undergo a process of restructuring in which ecosystems would regain their balance, allowing other species to thrive. THE evolution would follow its natural course, shaping surviving organisms to occupy different roles. Among the species that could take a place of choice in this new world, octopuses are considered one of the most feasible options due to their intelligence and adaptability. According to Professor Tim Coulson of the University of Oxford, octopuses have unique characteristics that position them as possible future “owners” of the planet.
These cephalopods are distinguished by their complex nervous system, in which a large part of their functions are distributed in the tentacles, which gives them astonishing abilities to manipulate objects and solve problems. Their ability to camouflage themselves and adapt to different environments makes them survival experts. A key aspect of their adaptability lies in their ability to survive out of water for short periods of time, an advantage against environmental changes. Coulson suggests that, in the distant future, they could develop tools similar to human diving equipment to explore terrestrial habitats. Additionally, behaviors observed in these animals, such as opening jars or escaping from aquariums, demonstrate their ability to cope with complex challenges. Although this is all speculative, the intelligence and versatility of octopuses make them interesting candidates in a posthuman scenario.
Octopuses could dominate the Earth
If humanity were to become extinct, one of the most fascinating questions that would arise would be what could be the cause of humanity’s extinction. dominant species on Earth. According to Professor Tim Coulson, from the University of Oxford, octopuses are the main candidates to occupy this place. These animals stand out for their intelligence, adaptability and unique abilities, which could allow them to thrive in a world without humans.
Coulson points out that octopuses have a highly developed nervous system, with most of their neural network distributed in their tentacles. This feature allows them to perform independent movements and solve complex problems with great precision. Additionally, they have the ability to instantly camouflage themselves and adapt to changing environments, essential skills for surviving in a changing ecosystem.
One of Coulson’s most intriguing theories is that octopuses could, over time, develop advanced tools and techniqueswhich would allow them to explore habitats outside of water. For example, their ability to survive on land could evolve to allow them to expand their domain beyond the oceans. Although speculative, this hypothesis opens the door to imagining a future where octopuses could build organized underwater communitiescomparable to human cities.
However, challenges for octopuses would not be uncommon. Their lack of skeleton and limited mobility on land would make it difficult to compete with others. terrestrial species. Additionally, their relatively short lifespan and largely solitary nature could limit the development of complex social structures. However, their impressive ability to learn, use tools, and adapt to different environments places them in a unique position to face evolving challenges.
Compared to other species that might also aspire to this role, such as dolphinsElephants or intelligent birds like crows, octopuses have an advantage: their versatility and their ability to quickly adapt to extreme conditions. For example, their use of tools, such as coconut shells, for protection and their ability to solve complex mazes have been documented.
Although this all sounds like a science fiction story, Coulson’s hypothesis invites reflection on how life can adapt and thrive in the absence of humans. Evolution, unpredictable by nature, could shape octopuses or other species to fill the spaces that humans leave empty. Ultimately, this theory highlights not only the resilience of octopuses, but also the evolutionary potential of species who coexist today on our planet.
The date of the end of the world
In 1960, a scientific study carried out by Heinz von Foerster surprised the world by predicting that a global collapse could occur on November 13, 2026. This analysis, published in the journal Sciencehas generated both interest and controversy.
The study was based on exponential growth of the world populationin particular the tensions that this generates on resources. According to calculations by Von Foerster and his team, humanity would face collapse due to the depletion of food, water and other essential resources. Although they did not speak of a sudden catastrophe, they described a gradual process of deterioration of social and ecological systems, incapable of supporting an ever-increasing population.
Even though global population growth has since slowed, the study remains a reminder of the planet’s limits. Although some scientists exclude the exact date of 2026Sustainability challenges remain relevant today.
