this post was submitted on 12 Feb 2025
25 points (100.0% liked)

What is this thing?

6022 readers
4 users here now

Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Smokeydope 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

I'm sorry to hear that. I love splitting hairs until I can at the very least chart out the molecular nano-structure of keratin in the hair cells with a proverbial electron microscope.

Dont you think its kind of cool to look at split hair up close? Apparently the keratin is those little strands imbedded in the cell. But why stop there? Let's keep splitting and examining and asking. Split the keratine into molecules that make it up, split the molicules into base atoms split those to find the nucleus in the atoms, the elections and neutrons and protons that make up that, the quarks that make up those, the boson, keep splitting and splitting until finally nothingness reveals itself to be at the core of all things. But what even is nothingness and the buzz of virtual particles causing quantum fluctuations that live within it? What's that all about?

"but what is X, what does it mean really?" Is a fun kind of question to ponder to me. I hope you enjoy expressing curiosity about the fundamental aspects of reality in other ways.

The dry copy paste definition you gave kind of lines up with the conclusion that there is no concrete distinction when examing from a universal unbiased reference frame its just different forms of life doing their thing existing where they can out of chance and circumstance in an ever evolving world. The definitions are born from human biases, self interest and fear of change leading to disruptions or disasters.

I feel its the same thing weeds. Whats the difference between a wild flower and a Dandylion? Human judgement and arbitrary language. Well, I like daffodils and dandelions, so fuck conventional made up definitions of what's proper and not. They're wildflowers to me!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I agree the literal splitting of hairs is very cool. The real issue is whether a certain noxious weed is safe to stomp on or maybe despite its faults it’s an attractive indigenous wildflower that blooms in the spring and bees frequent or it’s a root one can dig up and cook.

Sure, the plant was probably once stardust and it traveled here naturally in the shit of a sparkling kestrel 500 years ago. So say we all.

[–] PlasticExistence 3 points 1 week ago

All this has happened before and all this will happen again.