Part 3/11:
There exists a widespread preconception about mushrooms and fungi, often limited to their culinary use or regarded as poisonous and spooky. The hosts note that this perception overlooks the natural role of mycelium—the underground root-like network of fungi—as a complex and productive organism capable of material growth.
Taylor Hamilton describes the mycelium's potential as a raw material, highlighting that it is just as "normal or natural" as fabrics derived from plants or animals. The conversation explores how mycelium’s inherent biological properties can be harnessed to produce materials with unique textures and characteristics, similar to leather, but with the added benefit of environmental sustainability and efficient resource use.