86 replies to this topic

[RushmoreAnts]

Unlikely. I know I already stated this multiple times, but a collection of organisms working together is not a superorganism.

But a solitary life form may have a different definition of ‘superorganism’.

[TheMicroPlanet]

To a single cell, multicellular organisms may be regarded as a superorganism  (if said cell was somehow intelligent). Again, one might get the feeling that the concept of the individual might not be what it seems.  I'm not making any truth claims relating to that particular dilemma, but I just brought it up to hear what everyone else had to say so we could have an interesting discussion.

[ponerinecat]

*sigh* a normal organism is not a super organism because it is not composed of organisms. It has no organisms acting as cells, just cells. The definition is very clear.

[RushmoreAnts]

We are just speculating. Your definition is definitely the human definition. But just because we humans see things one way, something else may see it another way.

[TheMicroPlanet]

*sigh* a normal organism is not a super organism because it is not composed of organisms. It has no organisms acting as cells, just cells. The definition is very clear.

Sorry, I was speaking from the view of an individual cell. I'm just might stop replying here; we obviously have no clue what the other is talking about.

[RushmoreAnts]

Which brings up a whole new topic: what if there were intelligent microscopic organisms?

[TheMicroPlanet]

Microscopic to us? I mean, we could, in theory, be microscopic organisms to some larger observer. But, in the case of single, microscopic cells (or microscopic multicellular organisms like rotifers) as we know them, I don't think it's possible for intelligence to exist at such scales. A body capable of supporting intelligence would require far more matter, energy, and organization, just as a book with more detailed information is typically larger than one without. To cram the physical necessities of intelligence into a space a few hundred microns cubed or less would be basically impossible (at least, from apparent indications. Ponerinecat, you can take your own opinion from this, as seems tradition on this thread)

[RushmoreAnts]

About as large as a bacterium. But I mean, what if the anatomy of the life form is beyond our comprehension? (Meaning it can't be explained or debunked by ponerinaecat) I don't know, maybe that life form will one day be an intelligent, sentient, artificial nano android.   

Edited by AntsDakota, April 3 2020 - 12:58 PM.

[TheMicroPlanet]

In that case, basically what I already said. There's only so much matter you can fit into such a space, but intelligence has a far higher demand.

[RushmoreAnts]

I mean, what if it's neural pathways consisted of single atoms, or even subatomic particles? Of course, it would have to possess some unique form of energy that we have no idea even exists yet. 

[TheMicroPlanet]

Well, then Anton van Leeuwenhoek would've looked into his microscope to see an animalcule looking back at him with a telescope.

[RushmoreAnts]

Let's turn it around- what could be looking at US through a microscope?

[TheMicroPlanet]

Maybe that spot on Jupiter is actually an eyeball. Who knows 

[RushmoreAnts]

"Look at all these life forms I've grown on this spherical petri dish!"

 

Edited by AntsDakota, April 3 2020 - 1:42 PM.

[TheMicroPlanet]

I'd hate to know what experiment they've been growing us for 

 

Let's hope we're not pathogens awaiting a test for a vaccine!

[RushmoreAnts]

Strong, healthy:

 

Green, slimy, diseased:

 

This guy just recovered from a cold:

[TheMicroPlanet]

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I'd hate to know what experiment they've been growing us for 

 

Let's hope we're not pathogens awaiting a test for a vaccine!

Let's hope the Anti-Vaxxers finally accept vaccines are not going to cause a child to develop Autism and that they are absolute buffoons for thinking that vaccines are evil because they are not just shortening their offspring's lifespan to a age of >10, they're putting us all in danger (and yes, I did refer to Anti-Vaxxers in a way that implies they are a different race of life than us. If you're stupid enough to deny science like a flat-earther, then you should not be hurting us. Let measles kill you like an asteroid that is 'impossible to form' will eventually wipe out flat-earthers like the dinosaurs which pretty much have the same IQ). 

Edited by Da_NewAntOnTheBlock, April 19 2020 - 10:30 AM.

[RushmoreAnts]

Should this have been in ‘How is COVID-19 Affecting You’? Because this has little to do with this conversation.

Edited by AntsDakota, April 18 2020 - 10:35 AM.

[Temperateants]

Don’t forget social spiders!

Social spiders scare me for some reason. I've had multiple nightmares about areas filled with spiders lol.