What makes something alive?
 

just curious.

define : alive

possessing life

well, a plant has life ...

are you talking specifically people ?

the ability to think and breath - that kind of thing ?

I'm saying why is a person alive and not a toaster. I mean some people have the mental capacity of a toaster and do less than a toaster does, they are still considered living.

anyone what makes you alive? If you had to expain to a non believer that you are infact a living thing what would your argument be?

ah - i think you're making the sentient VS non-sentient arguement here

yup, exactly. :)

thats a tough call...

i dont have enough knowledge/information on that one ..

i mean - who knows what's going on in the mind of a 'toaster' as you say..

are they dreaming ? is there a whole other world going on in there ?

without knowing that - i can't really offer a hard opinion

I was going to pitch a theory about cell reproduction but I forgot that cells continue to reproduce inside a human body even after death. See? Resident Evil is educational after all.

Lightning, it works on home-made creatures and robots.

and jason .....

As long as you follow the Feldman Procedure.

Sentience - Sense of self-awareness - The ablity to think logically and rationalize

I believe this is what separates humans from plants, animals and other cellular-based life forms

Some would argue that it has much to do with emotions...But, animals also feel fear, loneliness, and some form of love

That's the best I've got

some scientific proof exists that plants - if not sentient - are able to communicate with each other - over long distances even.

either i saw a science program or a movie - or both (my memory is really faded on this) where someone was able to record the 'energy screams' of plants being cut down

not sure what i believe about this.

Hmm..I wonder what they would need to communicate to each other...

"Oh My God, Here comes the lawnmower...GET DOWN!"

:D

It's a combination of so many things, from being able to feel remorse to the ability to question things around you. I'm sure no Pine ever wondered what purpouse it served.

ok - i admit - that was funny :)

Movement Reproduction Sensitivity Nutrition Exertion Respiration Growth - That is to be alive.

But as Rayne said, Sentience is where it's at!

Life = Containing reproducible hereditary information.

So are sterile lifeforms technically dead? :D


I would guess, on the inside, at least.

Nah. They still contain it, they just can't use it. Otherwise vasectomies would be used for capitol punishment.

Some people treat it that way.

To me, it is freedom from the rubber prison. Although, I like the idea of that meaning you arent alive, because when I get mine, i get to be undead.