• anescient@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    3 years ago

    Viruses are a form of life. I think the question “are they alive” is tricky only because “alive” is a crude idea. It oversimplifies reality. Naturally. That’s language for you. If you try to categorize things rigidly you’re going to end up with iffy edge cases.

  • Antonama@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    5
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    3 years ago

    Viruses are not alive. They are like dead code that corrupts your cells. I did fail biology in college so I’m sure there is much more to add.

  • TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    3 years ago

    Viruses are not alive, as they are parasitic organisms that rely on host to survive. Parasites are of two types, they may be sentient like fungus, bacteria, mosquito, leech and so on, and non-sentient non-living ones such as virus.

  • 江尚寒@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    3 years ago

    i think virus are just like “Schrödinger’s Cat”, they seems do not appear to be particularly active until they begin their parasitic life. XD