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The kingdom of fungi has survived all five major extinction events. They are the architects of the natural world, integral to all life. They sustain critical ecosystems, recycling nutrients and connecting plants across vast areas, and help to produce many staples of modern life, such as wine, chocolate, bread, detergent and penicillin. Today, in the face of urgent ecological, societal and spiritual crises, fungi are being engineered to grow meat alternatives, create new sources of medicine, produce sustainable biomaterials, remediate the environment and even expand our collective consciousness.
The Future is Fungi is a complete introduction to this hidden kingdom. Exploring their past, present and potential future impact in four key areas – food, medicine, psychedelics and mental health, and environmental remediation – The Future is Fungi not only reveals how fungi have formed the foundations of modern life but how they might help shape our future.
Rich with informative texts, awe-inspiring 3D digital art and tips on how to immerse yourself in the world of fungi, this is a manifesto for the future, an invitation into a deeper awareness of our relationship with the natural world, each other, and ourselves.
Beginning his career building technology and consumer startups, Sydney-born Michael Lim co-founded an online eyewear brand at the age of twenty-one, which is now one of Australia's largest eyewear chains. However, early transformational experiences with psychedelics inspired his fascination with the fungi kingdom and prompted a career change. He now dedicates his time to researching fungi, psychedelics, ecology and anthropology. His exploration of the psyche and how nature gives rise to altered states of consciousness has led him on a path of self-enquiry and integration of his shift in worldviews. Through his writing, Michael seeks to empower a deeper understanding of the human experience through art and science.
A gifted researcher, Yun Shu is dedicated to the study of consciousness and uses language and culture as tools for connection and healing. Born in Shanghai, she was exposed to the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine and fungi from a young age. After a successful career in corporate strategy in the banking sector in both Sydney and London, she turned to spiritual enquiries through Vinyasa yoga teacher training. Concurrently, her early psychedelic experiences shaped her holistic inquiry into the human experience. Now, Yun seeks to share the wisdom and knowledge she has acquired through years of practical research.
"This 210-page book contains stunning photography that enables us to view mushrooms, toadstools and mould of all varieties in a completely different way. Vivid colours and textures enable the fungi to jump off the page, with many taking on an ethereal and almost alien quality"
– Countryside
