High Probability Life Candidates

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DonSchaeffer
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High Probability Life Candidates

#1 Post by DonSchaeffer » Sun Mar 19, 2023 4:29 pm

When I peruse through the watery environment of my mudpuddle I see forms with various likelihoods of being alive. Some are obvious: apparently targetted or purposive behavior, behavior that doesn't appear to be propelled by an identifiable force. Some forms just look like living things: integrated shapes and features (even though not moving). Things that aren't moving at the time of observation may begin moving later.

https://youtu.be/LAfZoR3CTMU

PeteM
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Re: High Probability Life Candidates

#2 Post by PeteM » Sun Mar 19, 2023 6:07 pm

Our high school biology teacher, some 60 or so years ago, said that the key thing about living things is that they respond to their environment. I blurted out . . . that would make rocks living things since when pushed, they roll downhill.

Good news -- your slide is buzzing with energy and life, likely along with some inorganic bits.

DonSchaeffer
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Re: High Probability Life Candidates

#3 Post by DonSchaeffer » Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:37 pm

Yes, it is hard to distinguish. Some random patterns look like life and some life looks random. Did you ever hear of the Heider-Simmel film? Look it up.

PeteM
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Re: High Probability Life Candidates

#4 Post by PeteM » Sun Mar 19, 2023 8:29 pm

That was new to me - thanks. A sort of animated Rorschach test.

No wonder we're sometimes inclined to anthropomorphize protist antics.

DonSchaeffer
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Re: High Probability Life Candidates

#5 Post by DonSchaeffer » Sun Mar 19, 2023 9:02 pm

It was a demonstration by Fritz Heider--a social psychologist who believed that animation (looking like life) was a way people explained otherwise unexplainable behaviors or motions.

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