Are we Carbon based life, proton-proton based life, string based life, or

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the nature of life and its potential bases, questioning whether life is fundamentally carbon-based, proton-proton based, space-time based, string based, or something else entirely. The conversation touches on theoretical implications and the chemistry of life forms.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that humans are carbon-based life forms, while others suggest that our understanding of space-time might indicate a deeper connection to the universe.
  • One participant claims that all matter is particle-based, possibly string-based, but emphasizes that life specifically relies on carbon chemistry.
  • Another participant raises the possibility of non-carbon-based life forms, such as silicon-based aliens, questioning the classification of life forms under broader categories.
  • The discovery of fullerene prompts a discussion on the definition of "carbon-based" life, suggesting that it may need qualification.
  • There is a suggestion that life could be better characterized as water-based, given its prevalence in organisms, although this is met with skepticism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the fundamental basis of life, with multiple competing views presented regarding carbon, water, and other potential bases for life. The discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding definitions and classifications, particularly in relation to carbon allotropes and the implications of discoveries like fullerene. There are unresolved assumptions about the nature of life and its chemical foundations.

S = k log w
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Are we Carbon based life, proton-proton based life, space-time based life, string based life, or what?
 
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Aren't we carbon based life forms? I guess you could say our minds somehow incorporate space-time into thinking process because how else could we have such a unique understanding of how it works. There is also the electricity that runs through our bodies that could suggest a deeper connection between us and the universe other than just some complex configuration of atoms,who knows. I'm not too sure what you exactly mean by that question.
 
Everything is spacetime based. All matter is particle (maybe string) based. But life is specifically based on carbon chemistry.
 
I would say that we are carbon based lifeforms, because that is the norm i suppose. What if there was another type of life-form that wasnt carbon-based (i dunno, for example, aliens that were silicon based), if they were classed as proton-proton based or string based then u are classifying just about everything known into one super-group. Also its easier to understand being carbon based then part of quantum theory or string theory ...well that's what i think anyway!
 
With the discovery of the Fullerene, do we need to qualify what we mean when we say "carbon" based life? Perhaps it may be Non-Buckey-carbon based life.
 
Originally posted by S = k log w
With the discovery of the Fullerene, do we need to qualify what we mean when we say "carbon" based life? Perhaps it may be Non-Buckey-carbon based life.

Just because fullerene is made of carbon doesn't mean carbon is fullerene. We never said non-diamond-carbon-based life, or non-pencil-lead-carbon based life.
 
So we are instead based upon graphite and/or diamond chemistry, then? Those are the only other known allotropes of carbon, last I checked. This of course sounds totally silly to me, but anyway.

You could probably make a significantly better case for us being water-based life, given that the main component in most organisms is water.

ETA: Must have started my reply after CSF replied. Blargh.
 
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but water is a given, its what water is in combination with that renders the Earth life trademark.
 

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