Ecopoetic Noticing: The Intermedial Semiotic Entanglements of Fungi and Lichen

Abstract

This article employs Peircean semiotics to delve into the nuanced realm of “noticing” more-than-human forms of communication. It posits a fundamental challenge to the anthropocentric perspective, asserting that life itself constitutes a distinct form of agency and that voices extend beyond the human domain. Peircean semiotics disrupts the traditional superiority of human cognition and language, emphasizing the continual interplay of diverse signs rooted in various material modalities. Amidst the intricate fabric of more-than-human interactions, the article examines the roles of noise and sound within natural environments. In its exploration, the article turns its focus to the dynamic interplay of very simple organisms, like fungi and lichen, using them as exemplars to enrich comprehension of symbiosis and interconnectedness within communication systems spanning the entire spectrum of living organisms. By accentuating the significance of “noticing” within ecopoetics, the article underscores the latent communicative potential inherent in all life forms, beckoning for a heightened awareness of the voices that echo across the vast tapestry of existence.