If humanity were to disappear, octopuses could “replace us”: the hypothesis of an Oxford professor

In his book The Universal History of Us, Tim Coulsonprofessor of biology at Oxford University, proposes an intriguing theory: octopuses could become the next builders of civilizations if humanity were to disappear. This idea, while speculative, has attracted the attention of experts in biology, anthropology and popular science, interested in exploring how intelligence can evolve in a world without humans.

Octopuses are creatures extraordinarily adaptablewith over 500 million years of evolution behind it. Equipped with considerable intelligence, they are capable of solving complex problems, using tools and camouflaging themselves with skill, making them among the most advanced invertebrates. However, the possibility that they can form complex societies is still a matter of debate.

One of the most surprising peculiarities of octopuses is their decentralized nervous system. Two-thirds of their neurons are located in the tentacles, allowing them to perform actions independent of the main brain. This type of distributed intelligence could offer a evolutionary advantagefacilitating adaptation to different environments and, potentially, evolution towards advanced forms of communication and organization.

Octopuses could develop rudimentary community structures

According to Coulson, if octopuses evolved into more social and long-lived species, they could develop rudimentary community structures which over time could transform into underwater cities. Their ability to manipulate objects, combined with their intelligence, could lead them to build complex habitats.

The future of life on Earth is uncertainwith numerous scenarios that could lead to humanity’s extinction, from climate change to asteroid impacts. In this context, many species may have a chance to thrive. While animals like mice and cockroaches are often cited for their ability to survive in hostile environments, Coulson suggests that octopuses could emerge as the next “civilization builders.”

Although this theory is purely hypothetical, it represents interesting food for thought on how intelligence and social complexity they could evolve in the absence of man. The possibility that octopuses will become the future rulers of the planet depends on multiple evolutionary and environmental factors, but their adaptive potential makes them one of the most fascinating species to observe.