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Ksradrik t1_irnas6c wrote

Reply to comment by xdert in What lifeform has the shortest genetic sequence? by teafuck

I dont think objects apply by themselves if they are part of, or contain lifeforms, which are actually responsible for their evolution.

I also wouldnt count objects specifically created by other lifeforms if they are the sole reason for their ability evolve.

(Eg, a manufactured bacteria would still count as life since it could evolve even by itself, just not in the specific ways we wanted it to, but an AI and everything controlled/manufactured by it would not, except for aforementioned bacteria-likes)

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the_red_scimitar t1_irny5bj wrote

Well, unfortunately that approach, without limits, could disqualify bacteria, viruses, and everything made out of cells of any kind, because every cell is actually changing, growing, and making whatever affects it has on its surroundings, due to other structures inside of them, and some of these are genetically produced by DNA that was acquired, often through a viral infection. What you have in organelles is basically functional units. And I'm sure those functional units, at least in some cases, have other functional units which are responsible for any effect they have. So where does it end? Atomic phenomena? Quantum phenomena? Where's the prime mover here.

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