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[–] hyperoperation 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

What qualifies someone as dead versus alive is an interesting question. There is no clear cut line. I think brain activity is the best indicator, but people can have no activity for short periods and still come back. I don't think there is such thing as alive or dead, we are all just rotting meat sacks waiting for our turn to expire.

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[–] tame [S] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

I think that's a really interesting answer, and you're not alone in your position here.

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[–] hyperoperation 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Good read. He makes a really good point:

Defining life as a self-sustaining system capable of Darwinian evolution also forces us to admit that certain computer programs are alive. Genetic algorithms, for instance, imitate natural selection to arrive at the optimal solution to a problem: they are bit arrays that code traits, evolve, compete with one another to reproduce and even exchange information.

Instead of saying living or dead it seems more accurate to just compare things based on complexity. Humans are very complex, bugs are sortof complex, rocks are not complex, etc.

[–] [deleted] 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

[Deleted]

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[–] tame [S] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Yeah, in a clinical setting there are a range of indicators that we use these days. I was thinking more in a "you notice someone lying on the ground" scenario. The second thing you do when finding an unresponsive person (after seeing if they're breathing) is check their pulse.

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[–] Kleyno 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago 

Well, the lack of breathing would probably be a sure sign...

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[–] tame [S] ago 

They could just be resting! ...and holding their breath... >.>

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[–] Kleyno 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

I see you've taken lesson from Sergeant Moue.