The HBO television adaptation of the video game The Last of Us takes place after a global pandemic caused by a fungal infection. Which sparked the question: how much should we be afraid of fungal infections in our world today?

This hour, we learn about the real-life fungal infection of ants that inspired the video game, and we discuss the role of fungi in our world. Plus, we talk with a local mushroom farmer and an author who writes fungal fiction.

GUESTS:

• William Beckerson: Post-doctoral research Fellow with the National Science Foundation
• Patricia Kaishian: Mycologist and visiting assistant professor of biology at Bard College
• Chris Pacheco: Owner of Seacoast Mushrooms in Mystic, Connecticut
• Jeff VanderMeer: Author of a number of books, including the Southern Reach Trilogy, which includes Annihilation; he recently co-founded The Sunshine State Biodiversity Group

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Colin McEnroe, Jonathan McNicol, and Cat Pastor contributed to this show.

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