Jump to content

Planets aren't alive


dimreepr

Recommended Posts

But we (life) are an integral part of the planetary system and we (life) depend on that system; I'm not sure there's a qualitive difference between the two.

The ecosystem that is me, may as well be a planet to the life that depends on me; even a virus, that is trying to kill me, needs me to live, or at least provide a suitable enviroment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is a sense in which the bee and the flower are a single organism - but it's generally more precise to refer to it as an ecosystem, at least in scientific discourse.

I personally consider the Earth alive. You could even consider humans analogous to neurons with the potential to become reproductive organs (i.e. terraform Mars). The universe? - i guess, but we're getting into the territory of such broad definitions as to be meaningless.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, Prometheus said:

You could even consider humans analogous to neurons with the potential to become reproductive organs (i.e. terraform Mars). The universe? - i guess, but we're getting into the territory of such broad definitions as to be meaningless.

Indeed, but we could go with humans analogous to a virus, I never did understand how a virus is not alive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, dimreepr said:

Indeed, but we could go with humans analogous to a virus, I never did understand how a virus is not alive.

Why a virus? 

The problem is with the definition of life: any definition, not just the popular one. For any rigid definition of a complex system there are always going to be grey areas. It's like trying to draw the Mandelbrot set using a simpler curve, you'll have to cut off parts of the set. Unless the definition is so broad to include everything, but then why even bother trying to define it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, MigL said:

By any definition, something that is alive, must

Feed
Expel waste
Reproduce

None of those criteria are met by the closed system that is planet Earth.

The metaphysical is not scientific.

Come on MigL, are you sure you're stoned...

Feed, where would we be without the sun?

Expel waste, how much shit, in orbit, does it take?

Reproduce, Well that is a struggle for a Planet...

Well, two out of three ain't bad... 🙃

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Bufofrog said:

Planets aren't alive.  Gee, how profound!  I'll bet my coffee cup isn't alive either!

I don't see anyting positive about this, I thought profundity was a little less glib.

2 minutes ago, MigL said:

So Dim...
You listen to Meatloaf when you're stoned ?
( this is becoming a running joke :lol: )

I don't remember saying that...

I'm just thinking... What else don't you know???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

26 minutes ago, studiot said:

Just read Professor Challenger.

from the Wiki entry on Prof Challenger

"Challenger hoped through this experiment to prove that the Earth was a living organism that sustained its vitality from the ether of outer space"

There is no aether :D .

 

"Two out of three ain't bad"

From the album Bat Out of Hell, released 1977, by the artist Meatloaf.

There is lots of things I don't know, Dim, but useless trivia isn't one of them.

Edited by MigL
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It doesn't matter if the planet is alive or not, that's not the point of the thread, much like my virus analogy, it's not about intent; but we can all turn vegan, plants ARE alive and they can grow back.

Defining the Planet as 'not alive' doesn't mean it's dead, well not yet...

Edited by dimreepr
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think we all know what you mean and the point you're trying to convey.

However, it becomes that much harder to correct new members using non-standard terminology when one of our more senior/respected members modifies accepted scientific terminology to bolster a point.

( next thing you know, some new age fanatic will come along and say the Earth has feelings... )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, MigL said:

I think we all know what you mean and the point you're trying to convey.

However, it becomes that much harder to correct new members using non-standard terminology when one of our more senior/respected members modifies accepted scientific terminology to bolster a point.

Fair point, maybe I should've placed this thread in philosophy.

17 minutes ago, MigL said:

( next thing you know, some new age fanatic will come along and say the Earth has feelings... )

That would be terrible, the vegans might get the wrong end of the stick and think a cabbage can suffer...

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/20/2020 at 8:37 AM, MigL said:

By any definition, something that is alive, must

Feed
Expel waste
Reproduce

Actually the typical definitions include growth (biomass generation), metabolism, reaction to stimuli (or broader inclusion of adaptation). There are also more specific ones, but feeding usually refers to heterotrophic metabolism, which excludes autotrophs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, CharonY said:

Actually the typical definitions include growth (biomass generation), metabolism, reaction to stimuli (or broader inclusion of adaptation). There are also more specific ones, but feeding usually refers to heterotrophic metabolism, which excludes autotrophs.

I am looking for a definition that tells me a volcano is definitely not alive since volcanoes seem to me to satisfy both MigL's list plus your growth one as well as the ability to exist in a dormant phase where none of these happen.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, studiot said:

I am looking for a definition that tells me a volcano is definitely not alive since volcanoes seem to me to satisfy both MigL's list plus your growth one as well as the ability to exist in a dormant phase where none of these happen.

A virus fulfills this, but then so does some bacteria.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.