Mushroom hunters can't stop finding mysterious fungi

Mushroom foraging, risk, and safety

• Several comments emphasize how risky wild mushroom foraging can be: “all mushrooms are edible, some only once,” and the idea that there are few “old and bold” foragers.
• Some hobbyists stress caution, sample-keeping, and consulting expert mycologists; others argue that with knowledge, risks are comparable to avoiding moldy food.
• There is mention of patch-specific allergies, variable individual reactions, and the danger of being far from medical help (e.g., needing an epinephrine injector).
• Toxicity knowledge is described as partial: some families (e.g., amanitas) are associated with specific toxins; others are “sort-of-toxic” or unknown, and interactions (e.g., with alcohol) can matter.

Bugs, parasites, and cultivation vs. foraging

• Foraged mushrooms are often full of insects, larvae, and feces; some contain parasitic fungi. Many commenters accept bugs as “extra protein.”
• Others prefer cultivated mushrooms for eating, citing safety and cleanliness, but complain cultivated varieties are few and often boring.
• Some argue parasitic fungi like hypomyces are usually not a serious risk; others cite literature recommending cloning and controlled cultivation to reduce unpredictable health risks.

Biodiversity, unknown species, and conservation

• Commenters generalize from fungi to broader biodiversity: huge numbers of beetles and other organisms remain undescribed.
• Old growth and rainforests are seen as irreplaceable reservoirs of unknown species and biochemical potential; “planting new trees” is criticized as a reductionist, misleading equivalence.
• It’s noted that secondary forests are typically less diverse and that many fungi are extremely hard to preserve ex situ; cultures can become senescent.
• Some point out that truly striking, novel macroscopic fungi are rare; most “new” species are cryptic, microscopic, or only genetically distinct.

Forestry, wood use, and sustainability debates

• One side argues logging is essential (housing, paper, packaging) and can be managed like any other crop; examples are given of regions claiming long-term sustainable forestry.
• Others counter that capitalism undervalues intact forests, that “sustainable” density/quality has already declined, and that forests-as-crops erode ecological services.
• There is an extended side debate on wood vs. stone/brick/concrete construction: some praise wood for flexibility, repairability, insulation, and lower carbon footprint; others argue heavy masonry offers better thermal behavior in many climates. Claims conflict and remain unresolved.

Strange fungal and “fungus-like” phenomena

• Anecdotes describe fungi apparently “eating” metal on an old speaker and thriving on sewage-soaked newspapers; others suggest pre-existing corrosion or coating degradation is more plausible.
• Additional curiosities include slime molds, parasitic fungi on insects, and fungi that “eat” radiation, likened to photosynthesis at different wavelengths.