Nasa revives 'weird life forms' trapped inside crystals for 60,000 years, raising hopes of finding

originally posted by: rickymouse
a reply to: TrueBrit

If you look at bacteria, they are sharing antibiotic resistance information with each other, this is a new discovery but it has probably always been happening. Just because we did not know this does not mean it was not happening. If this sharing of genetic traits is done at the simplest of life forms, it may have happened throughout all life forms over the life of the earth. We build up immunity to microbes within generations, sometimes within one generation. Most animals and plants adapt, if they don't they go extinct.

What is scary about that is that modern day medical practices have interrupted the natural development to these microbes with the use of antibiotics. Never mind all the antibiotics used in meat production.

Kind of does steer us towards catastrophe.

originally posted by: ThoughtIsMadness

originally posted by: rickymouse
a reply to: TrueBrit

If you look at bacteria, they are sharing antibiotic resistance information with each other, this is a new discovery but it has probably always been happening. Just because we did not know this does not mean it was not happening. If this sharing of genetic traits is done at the simplest of life forms, it may have happened throughout all life forms over the life of the earth. We build up immunity to microbes within generations, sometimes within one generation. Most animals and plants adapt, if they don't they go extinct.

What is scary about that is that modern day medical practices have interrupted the natural development to these microbes with the use of antibiotics. Never mind all the antibiotics used in meat production.

Kind of does steer us towards catastrophe.

The antibiotics used in the production of meat and the antibiotics used as miticides to slow the veggies from spoiling are causing increased resistance of bacteria in our foods. They claim it is us overusing it that is a problem. That is a part of the problem but it is not the main part.

originally posted by: Tempter

originally posted by: Outlier13
We humans are nothing more than a mathematical probability.

And if we are a mathematical probability can you tell me how probable we'd be on another planet with a different experience?

There's nothing probable about us. Life is exceptional.

You need to understand what a mathematical probability is. It is nothing more than the measure of the likelihood that a specific event will occur. Humans didn't just appear in the form we are today. We evolved over millions of years into what we are today. Therefor if there were another planet in a similar habitable zone around a similar star to our Sun and on that planet the same breathable atmosphere as Earth's existed with a similar water volume and etc, etc...then there would be a high probability that another species very similar to humans on Earth would also exist on that planet.

You refer to life as "exceptional". Life is not exceptional. Exceptional by its very definition means something is not typical. The 4 primary elements that make up the human body just happen to be the 4 most abundant elements found throughout the Universe. These elements are literally everywhere we look in Space. If the Universe is in fact 14 billion years old and the Earth is only 4 billion years old and if humans have taken roughly 2 million years to evolve to what we are today then we are zygotes on the evolutionary scale relative to the rest of the Universe.

Do you know how many habitable planets NASA has discovered? Thousands. By 2003 it was estimated there were more than 17,000 habstar systems in just one small fraction of our own galaxy. If you don't you should spend some time researching habitable zones and the massive abundance of elements in the known Universe. I won't even go into the topic of life existing in ways we thought was impossible. This very article I posted proves how little we know about "life".

So, yes, I stand firmly by my original statement that we are nothing more than a mathematical probability. That is not to say I do not view life as amazing. But in no way what so ever is life exceptional.

a reply to: SoulSurfer

Night of the Creeps is a cult classic, I remember watching it when I was like 7. Great original spin on the zombies angle.

I don't think there is anything to get worked up over in regards to a potential ELE from ancient microbes. And as far as the possibility that most life originated in outer space because of how unlike it all is to each other, if I recall most life on Earth have only a marginal genetic variance. We are all carbon based life forms, most life you can see with the naked eye anyways is. I wonder what % of genetic code we share with this new microbe??

a reply to: Outlier13

Has anyone ever thought that this might not be the best of ideas? Letting experiment 626 out of the lab might not be a good thing.

a reply to: Outlier13

Reminds me of the parasite in the xfiles that was frozen for millions of years deep under the alaskan ice. Hopefully it doesn't end up the same way

originally posted by: SoulSurfer

You know that is the perfect music for that video too.

a reply to: myselfaswell

What if....they are the Gremlims? Hehe, dont add water!
Jokes aside, one question though, is this the same thing, or the reserved version of the new crystals that were created, or discovered? I will try to find it to make more sense, but apparently we can now make em?

Awesome regardless

a reply to: namelesss

I'm sorry but I do not subscribe to your philosophy. Reality is simply perspective.

originally posted by: PRSpinster
a reply to: namelesss

I'm sorry but I do not subscribe to your philosophy.

As the following is the only post I posted on this thread, you must be referring to this;

"What is the probability that you would be sitting there, at this very moment, a human typing on your keyboard and reading this on your monitor ...on planet Earth??
100%
The probability of what is, every moment, being what is, is 100%!
There is no alternative to Reality! *__- "

Since I am not selling subscriptions, I don't care whether you 'subscribe' or not.
If you have an intellectual problem (and/or an emotional problem) with what I offer, I'd be happy to hear it.
But stating that you simply don't like it means nothing at all, philosophically or scientifically.
I doubt that you are capable of refuting my statement, perhaps that's why you don't?

Reality is simply perspective.

If you say so...

a reply to: SoulSurfer

Yup that spider worm? that's enough internet for me today.

a reply to: yuppa

As to NASA. bad idea man. studying dead ones is safer.

No guts no glory.

originally posted by: Outlier13

Lifeforms which have been living inside crystals for up to 60,000 years have been revived by NASA, raising hopes that alien organisms could be found in extreme environments on other planets.

Penelope Boston, the director of NASA's Astrobiology Institute, and her team have spent years exploring Mexico's Naica Mine in Chihuahua looking for extremophiles, which contain caves as large as cathedrals.

The mine is filled with giant gypsum crystals which look so extraordinary that when Dr Boston first saw a picture, she assumed it had was a Photoshop hoax.

But more astounding, was that inside the crystals, tiny bugs were discovered in a state of 'geolatency' - where living organisms remain viable in geological materials for long periods of time.

Nasa revives 'weird life forms' trapped inside crystals for 60,000 years, raising hopes of finding alien organisms in space

This is amazing. Reviving bacterial bugs that have been hibernating for 60,000 years? How can anyone deny the existence of life outside of our own planet? If bacteria can live in an environment this harsh feeding off of inorganic minerals and compounds there is no doubt there are other life forms outside of our solar system. We humans are nothing more than a mathematical probability.

Didn't Superman come in a crystal? Maybe he was really tiny!

Anywho...hopefully they have everything in place to contain a killer bacteria being released. I think the most viable way another species could easily take Earth is to release a virulent strain of whatever that we have no prior knowledge of.

It happens all the time with disease already on Earth being introduced into a new habitat. Just look at all the diseases Europe brought to North America when they came...some of the nastiest and most deadly of our time!

Thanks for posting this. I find it extremely fascinating that they were able to get some of the organisms to grow. Even more, I am in awe of the cave itself. Those pics are like porn for a geophile like me!

a reply to: namelesss

Lol. Interesting that you insult me when I simply stated a personal opinion, Nameless. Philosophy isn't about emotion but I will note the jibe and retort with: your supposition that "there is no alternative to reality" isn't factual.
I enjoyed the post but your faux anger is amusing. No need to be so touchy.

originally posted by: PRSpinster
a reply to: namelesss

Lol. Interesting that you insult me when I simply stated a personal opinion, Nameless. Philosophy isn't about emotion but I will note the jibe

I offered no 'insult'.
Besides, 'insult' exists in the eye of the beholder.

and retort with: your supposition that "there is no alternative to reality" isn't factual.

No 'insult' intended, but you must realize that philosophy is about critical thought/examination, and when discussing, also involved is the evidentiary and logistical support for your bald assertion.
In this case, I see your 'assertion/gainsaying' as unsupportable, so...
Anyway, I'll ask (should you want to turn this into a (perhaps fruitful) discussion) if you'd like to support your 'claim' of 'factuality'? *__-

a reply to: namelesss

What I would like to do is bitchslap you with a selection of existentialist musings. Instead, I will just say this thread isn't about philosophy.
I get the idea that you are the kind of guy who would give someone directions to their own home, nameless.

Viruses do not have life span and some people consider them crystal life forms. Interesting read.

originally posted by: PRSpinster
a reply to: namelesss

What I would like to do is bitchslap you with a selection of existentialist musings.

I'm not feeling the threat. *__-

Instead, I will just say this thread isn't about philosophy.

Every thread is philosophy; critical logical rational thoughtful examination of the subject/topic!
(Depending on one's ability, of course...)

"bitchslap you with a selection of existentialist musings" did make me smile! Your work? *__-