Are Crystals alive?
Carbon and silicon sit together on the periodic table meaning that there are many similarities between them. For many years carbon was said to be the only living atom on the Earth, but recently all the aspects that allows carbon to be classed as such have been found in Silica also. This means that by scientific and human means silica containing substances are alive.
Life forms have been found in the deep oceans of earth that demonstrate all the characteristics of life, even being able to reproduce, with out any carbon in them. So, Yes, Crystals are very much alive but, as yet we don't completely understand their sacred language of geometric light.
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"Crystals are very much alive but, as yet we don't completely understand their sacred language of geometric light"
I saw an episode where Spock mind melded with silicon based life. It was a totally excellent dramatic performance.
Uh... no, moron. Carbon is not alive. At all. No reputable scientists say that carbon is alive. It is, however, necessary for organic components (which themselves are not necessarily alive), which happen to be what make up life.
To the extent that any of this is true, siloxane chemistry has enough in common with carbon chain chemistry that under certain conditions (generally very, very hot) silicon-based life could be sustained. Isaac Asimov wrote an article about it in the early 80s, and there's probably been a bit of theoretical work done on it since. To the extent that any of this is even remotely accurate, yes, silicon-based life might be possible.
But I'm pretty sure the rest of this is argumentum ex culo. (All known life on Earth is carbon-based, even the deep-sea extremophiles, which are about exotic as it gets on this planet.)
Well actually, this is quite a debate. What is the definition of life? The ability to reproduce itself. Crystals reproduce themselves, so arguably, they could be life in a sense.
"Sacred language of geometric light"
I don't know why, but that statement sends me into fits of giggles. It's just... so ridiculous.
Life on earth is Carbon-BASED. Meaning carbon is essential, but we aren't walking diamonds. On the same note, it is theoretically possible to have silica-BASED life, but no such things exist. Crystals are just highly ordered structures, not living entities.
And cool cats: You win, sir. You have won my heart and mind, and I will follow you to hell and back for your glorious posting of that image. Thank you.
When he says "living atom", he means the basic building block for life, which is true. Carbon is the only known basis for life on Earth. Silicon was rejected for many reasons, but this guy isn't as fundie as you guys make him seem.
Let's see, living things Respirate, Reproduce, Respond, Regulate, Grow, Adapt, ans Organise.
Crystals do two of those things.
Oh, and Robbie So, Yes, Crystals are very much alive but, as yet we don't completely understand their sacred language of geometric light. He is that fundie. He's also batshit insane.
There's a lot of BS in that post. Living atoms? Non-carbon-based life forms in the ocean? "Language of geometric light"?
Osiris: This is too out there for Wicca. This is more like the extreme New Age-y UFO worshipper stuff.
This is you're brain on crystal meth. Calcite and other carbonates like aragonite are organic in origin, formed as marine deposits on the sea floor. Silicates like guartz and plagioclase are not alive. Some are formed in hot water or steam around hydrothermal vents, some in igneous rocks. I've never known any to reproduce, although calcite and halite dissolve easily in water and may be deposited elsewhere.
"Life forms have been found in the deep oceans of earth that demonstrate all the characteristics of life, even being able to reproduce, with out any carbon in them."
No they haven't. Pillock.
There is no such a thing as "living atom". Shove back that New Age rhetoric in your ass, and look for a life form which metabolism is base on Silicium.
THAT, my friend, would be REALLY worth studying.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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