What is life, and what kinds of systems count as alive?
Hank defines life as what wants: in 2011 he described it as what lowers its own entropy using energy, and in 2026 he repeated his short definition, 'life wants'.
Axis: broad functional definition (anything that sustains itself, incl. non-biological) ... narrow biological checklist
Positions by date: 5 records in 5 videos. The position did not change in these records.
John
| date | how | position | video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-08-27 | first on record | John says the microcosmos is especially interesting for defining life or our place in the world because, as Hank said, up close every sharp line turns out to be blurry. | Are Viruses Necessary? 00:02:55 |
Hank
| date | how | position | video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-06-13 | first on record | Hank defines life functionally — what wants, or what lowers its own entropy using energy — and ventures a cautious yes that Google is alive. | Google Is Alive! 00:03:08 |
| 2022-10-07 | restate | Hank says some categories are true, such as protons and electrons, and he thinks life is one, though people will argue with him. | Planets Don't Exist 00:04:11 |
| 2025-08-22 | restate | Hank says languages might even respond to stimuli, his own main criterion for life: he always says life wants. | Are Languages Alive? 00:02:40 |
| 2026-04-10 | restate | Hank repeats his shortest definition of life, 'life wants': not just responding to stimuli but wanting what it needs to survive; life evolved want to keep going. | Moon Joy 00:01:29 |
Background
| date | how | position | video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-06-15 (said on 2011-06-14, implied) | background | John disputes Hank's claim that Data doesn't reproduce: the android had a daughter, so Hank got his Star Trek facts wrong. (playful) → refers to Google Is Alive! | Question Tuesday! Paula Deen Riding Me (and critical reading) 00:00:02 |