A Conversation for Talking Point: Do Aliens and UFOs exist?
Life
Awix Posted Sep 18, 2003
Yeah, that's a really intelligent, thought-provoking definition, given that entropy is the ultimate force of dissolution in the universe (at least, that's what it said on Dr Who when I was little).
Life is an expression of the universe's desire to avoid heat death. Well, it's a thought...
Life
Felonious Monk - h2g2s very own Bogeyman Posted Sep 19, 2003
"Life consists of localised regions of short but sustained bursts of negative entropy"
Does it? We waste most of the energy we consume (as homiotherms). You could argue that the actual entropy of the orgnism is decreasing, but I can think of several nonlinear thermodymamic systems, which when far from equilibrium, shoa a localised decrease in entropy (lasers for example).
Life
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Posted Sep 19, 2003
I know it's not a perfect definition, but it's *far* closer than any other I've heard. One of the most important common factors in living things is the way in which they gather together different elements and arrange them in a formal structure, which is then maintained actively against the forces of entropy for the "lifetime" of the organism.
Obviously, the "different elements" part is important, else by that definition most crystal lattices would be "alive". I just haven't found a snappy and memorable phrase that encompasses that aspect yet. 
Life
Felonious Monk - h2g2s very own Bogeyman Posted Sep 19, 2003
How about the old O-Level biology definition, GRIMREF: Growth, Respiration, Irritability, Movement, Reproduction, Excretion and Feeding? Anything alive has to show GRIMREF.
Life
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Posted Sep 19, 2003
The two definitions aren't mutually exclusive, and you must admit that mine is a *lot* snappier... 
Key: Complain about this post
Life
- 61: DA ; Simply Vicky: Don't get pithy with me! (Sep 17, 2003)
- 62: Awix (Sep 18, 2003)
- 63: Felonious Monk - h2g2s very own Bogeyman (Sep 19, 2003)
- 64: Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) (Sep 19, 2003)
- 65: Felonious Monk - h2g2s very own Bogeyman (Sep 19, 2003)
- 66: Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) (Sep 19, 2003)
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