The Definition of Life

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Oh Alexa,

I know you're going to kick me for this:

Fire contains as a part of its very existence molecular components including all or part of what you mentioned above.

Fire requires energy and matter in order to continue existing.

Fire does require at least one cell to exist.

Fire maintains homeostasis.

Fire evolves.

Fire requires oxygen and fuel and energy. It consumes, and gives back. It grows and dies. It can be enraged, or smoulder quietly. It spreads, and can be made extinct.

Is fire alive?

v/r

Q

Q, I am curious about your take on fire. How does fire require at least one cell and how does it evolve?

sincerely,
lunamoth

[alexa]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Is fire alive?

I cannot kick you. You made me K.O.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Q, I am curious about your take on fire. How does fire require at least one cell and how does it evolve?

sincerely,
lunamoth

Hello Lunamoth!

current fire science describes the phenomenon as a "medium" by which matter is converted to energy (in the form of light and heat), and by which ultimately energy is converted back into matter (but not neccessarily in the same form as the original. Fire itself is not energy, nor is it matter.

Fire consists of what is called "cells" or packets that when combined produce what we commonly see.

As fire increases in its intensity (giving off light and heat), a strange thing eventually happens. It begins to "ionize" the material it is consuming. This ionization is what is referred to as proto plasma (a hazy level between being matter and energy). When this plasma begins to "burn" the "fire" it creates takes on totally different characteristics than the "fire" we are used to. When a fire "evolves" into a plasma fire, it no longer requires oxygen as a catalyst to continue existing.

I assure you this is not science fiction Luna. I use fire and Plasma fire every day in my job. I also fight fires for a living. A gas and oxygen cutting torch actually burns a line through steel @ 5280* F (actually consuming the ferrous in the steel), but requires the metal to be brought up to melting temperature before it can do so @ 2556* F. A plasma torch ionizes anything in its path @ 12,000 to 12,000,000 * F, regardless of the ambient temperature of the metal. plasma fire is unbelievably hot, yet is considered a "cold" cut, because there is no time for the plasma to heat the surrounding material. It does not require a fuel like ferrous to burn either. Also, a plasma fire uncontrolled can not be extinguished by conventional means. You can't take away the oxygen, it doesn't need it, you can't take away the fuel, it makes its own (until it converts the fuel to unusable material), and you can't take away the heat, for it is self generated.

Hence my comment that fire can evolve.

By the way. I was doing a little teasing on Alexa, I wasn't being serious. I don't think fire is alive, though it does exhibit many characteristics of life.

v/r

Q

[alexa]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

By the way. I was doing a little teasing on Alexa, I wasn't being serious. I don't think fire is alive, though it does exhibit many characteristics of life.

You didn't see me laughing then ? Never thought you were serious.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by alexa

You didn't see me laughing then ? Never thought you were serious.

Yup, I saw you grin from ear to ear...others might not have though...

v/r

Q

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Hello Lunamoth!

A plasma torch ionizes anything in its path @ 12,000 to 12,000,000 * F, regardless of the ambient temperature of the metal.

Fascinating explantion, Q. I have never heard any of this before and while it does sound almost too extraordinary to be true I know that more amazing things are also true.

Also, so far I've read that you were a soldier, an EMT, a firefighter, and a carpenter. Definintely a man of many hats! Impressive resume. Also, I knew you were teasing Alexa, but figured you weren't putting out there something totally groundless. The definition of life is elusive.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Fascinating explantion, Q. I have never heard any of this before and while it does sound almost too extraordinary to be true I know that more amazing things are also true.

Also, so far I've read that you were a soldier, an EMT, a firefighter, and a carpenter. Definintely a man of many hats! Impressive resume. Also, I knew you were teasing Alexa, but figured you weren't putting out there something totally groundless. The definition of life is elusive.

Dear Luna,

I am a United State Coast Guardsman, and have been such for the last twenty five years. I am and have been what you might be having a hard time pondering. But I assure you, I've never lied nor exagerated about who or what I have been or done, or what I know.

I am a sailor (certified), an EMT (certified), a firefighter (certified), a bonefied detective (Certified and degreed), and a carpenter (Certified). I am also a welder (certified) a sheet metal worker (certified), a plumber, a black smith, a mechanic, an electrician and an expert in CBR defense (certified), and an Air crewman of a helicopter (certified). I can sail a "rag" boat, or helm an Ice breaker. I help design ships, and am a teacher (Certified). I am a law enforcement officer (Certified). I am a singer, and a composer. I do play multiple instruments. I have recorded music that has been distributed out to the public. I have been on TV, and have saved and lost lives at sea...

If I ever lied, it was to ease the fear of the dying, (probably not wise, but the best thing I knew to do at the time), not to boast of my own perceived importance.

I am also not alone. You can find about 35,000 more similar to me assigned to what is called the United State Coast Guard. But you do not have to take my word for it. You only have to read recent history, or ask any person living on or by the sea just who I am. They will tell you. There is nothing impressive about me, or my job, except that I chose to accept it. If that was your intent, then I thank you, and you are welcome. If not, you do not want to hear what can be construed as the "sailors disgrace"...

peace be unto you.

v/r

Q

[aquaris]

Originally Posted by Quahom1
Oh Alexa,

I know you're going to kick me for this:

Fire contains as a part of its very existence molecular components including all or part of what you mentioned above.

Fire requires energy and matter in order to continue existing.

Fire does require at least one cell to exist.

Fire maintains homeostasis.

Fire evolves.

Fire requires oxygen and fuel and energy. It consumes, and gives back. It grows and dies. It can be enraged, or smoulder quietly. It spreads, and can be made extinct.

Is fire alive?

....Life has consciousness...Does Fire has consciousness....??

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Dear Luna,

I am a United State Coast Guardsman, and have been such for the last twenty five years. I am and have been what you might be having a hard time pondering. But I assure you, I've never lied nor exagerated about who or what I have been or done, or what I know.

I am a sailor (certified), an EMT (certified), a firefighter (certified), a bonefied detective (Certified and degreed), and a carpenter (Certified). I am also a welder (certified) a sheet metal worker (certified), a plumber, a black smith, a mechanic, an electrician and an expert in CBR defense (certified), and an Air crewman of a helicopter (certified). I can sail a "rag" boat, or helm an Ice breaker. I help design ships, and am a teacher (Certified). I am a law enforcement officer (Certified). I am a singer, and a composer. I do play multiple instruments. I have recorded music that has been distributed out to the public. I have been on TV, and have saved and lost lives at sea...

If I ever lied, it was to ease the fear of the dying, (probably not wise, but the best thing I knew to do at the time), not to boast of my own perceived importance.

I am also not alone. You can find about 35,000 more similar to me assigned to what is called the United State Coast Guard. But you do not have to take my word for it. You only have to read recent history, or ask any person living on or by the sea just who I am. They will tell you. There is nothing impressive about me, or my job, except that I chose to accept it. If that was your intent, then I thank you, and you are welcome. If not, you do not want to hear what can be construed as the "sailors disgrace"...

peace be unto you.

v/r

Q

Dear Q,

I did mean that in a good way . I am not a sarcastic person 'in person' or on line, although I admit my jokes when I dare make them usually are only funny to myself.

Anyway, I never caught on to the fact that you are a USCG so now I understand. You and all our soldiers are in my prayers.

Peace to you!
Lunamoth

[I, Brian]

I actually like the idea of applying the definition of life to objects such as stars.

[alexa]

Brian, you are the next to be K.O.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Dear Q,

I did mean that in a good way . I am not a sarcastic person 'in person' or on line, although I admit my jokes when I dare make them usually are only funny to myself.

Anyway, I never caught on to the fact that you are a USCG so now I understand. You and all our soldiers are in my prayers.

Peace to you!
Lunamoth

Awwww,

And I thought you wanted to hear my liteny of colorful metaphors that I've picked up along the way during my carreer...

For example, there are a couple of words (regardless of what language they are spoken in) can literally be used to make a complete thought. They can be used as a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, conjuntion, prepositional, pronoun, explicative, accusative, can express past, present and future imperfect. The same words can be used in multiple times in in a paragraph, yet each time used, present the recipient with a completely different thought. Very useful in getting alot of information clearly across, with without being overly verbose. In fact one could say it was spartan in the presentation.

The use of crass and crude language really is an artform and a unique communication tool all its own. If there was a certification for that, I might just be eligible

My personal favorites are in Russian, English, French and Yiddish.

By the way, thank you for the prayers part, but when you talk to God make sure you ask him to look out for the "hooligans", otherwise He might think you mean the Navy...

v/r

Q

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by aquaris

[/i]

....Life has consciousness...Does Fire has consciousness....??

Hi Aquaris, I don't know, haven't figured out how to ask it yet...but I'm workin' on it.

[Bandit]

I think everything is alive. LOL

I have a 10'X10' fire pit in my backyard and make about 40 huge fires from spring to summer and fall. It is soothing. I would say it is alive when I make it. Does it have a spirit or a soul? I dont think so. At least not yet.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

I actually like the idea of applying the definition of life to objects such as stars.

Hmmm,

The living sun...I like the sound of that. Earth is full of life, so I guess in a way that would make the planet alive, and in a way the solar system alive, so perhaps the sun is alive after a fashion too.

v/r

Q