Hey, folks. Just a note to let you know that I’m still, you know, alive. So, alas, is my flu.
That said, I do seem to be getting a bit better, day by day. I’m hoping I’ll be back posting again pretty soon.
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Still feeling cruddy
Ooh now we can have a discussion about whether viruses are in fact ‘alive’. See, even when you’re poorly you give us stuff to chat about. Cheers.
And hope you’re back to full health soon.
Get better soon, David.
Internet hugs.
It’s good to hear news, and I hope you get well soon.
Also I hope your cats are giving you some comfort and not, y’know, acting like assholes about they hungry when you need to lay down or something like that.
All the best to you, David; get better soon!! <3
Ugh, flu sucks…I’m over my latest chest cold, but my phlegm has yet to get the news. Feel MUCH better soon.
Virtual Nice Cups of Tea and/or chicken soup ad libitum. Hope you feel alltheway better soon.
Here’s to a quick recovery.
Don’t overdo it, David!
@Alan
If they can be killed, are they not alive? *looks philosophically into the middle distance*
Get well soon, David.
@Alan
I fall on the side of virus particles being alive.
I found just what you need to get back up and posting David!
I guess juice sales were lagging…
Take your time, man. Don’t feel like you need to keep on top of updates here while you’re sick.
Hope you feel better soon. 🙁
I don’t want to make this thread all about me, but I am for realz, actually engaged!
@Viscaria
http://i.imgur.com/s9bPVaK.gif
@Viscaria
This thread is now, officially, all about Viscaria and Visfiancé until further notice. Also
@Viscaria
Oh my gawd congratulations!
http://hdgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Pickachus.gif
Thanks friends ???
@Viscaria
Conga Rats!
Congratulations Viscaria!
http://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.roosterteeth.com/uploads/images/30a96642-66d1-4c93-a046-78fd7f13f79d/md/2380738-1462597759167-congrats_cat.jpg
@David
Take it easy and get plenty of rest. Here’s to your (just-around-the-corner) return to good health!
@Viscaria
Visualize another super cute kitten wishing all the best to you and your new fiance.
@Bina
So I’m not the only one! Feel better.
That’s wonderful, Viscaria! Congratulations! ?
Maybe this will make you feel better. Someone was handing out Russian flags with Trump in gold embroidery on them at CPAC.
@Viscaria
Congrats and all best wishes.
Re: It’s Alive!
Or at least it is if it maintains homeostasis, is composed of cells, undergoes metabolism, can grow, adapt to the environment, respond to stimuli, and reproduce. It has been argued that a virus is not alive since it does not have a metabolism and can only reproduce with the help of processes found in living cells. It has also been argued that using external sources for metabolism and reproduction is still metabolism and reproduction.
As no more than an interested layman, it seems to me that since viruses are known to evolve (change over time), the very definition of evolution suggests that viruses are alive. Sort of.
Are the retroviruses that have been inserted in your genome over time alive? Did they only become alive when they joined the human genome? Are viruses only alive while attached to a cell, hijacking its metabolism in order to reproduce a bunch of young viruses which in turn will not be alive until they, too, attach to a host cell?
There does not seem to be a large consensus on this. It looks like there is a lot more to learn on the subject.
Based on recent experience, I imagine that if biologists tightened up their definition of “life” to provide a definite answer on this one, they would run into a wall of public dissatisfaction and ill-informed calls to change it once again. My heart goes out to them; it’s a tough situation.
On the other hand, Viscaria’s engagement is not a tough situation, and congrats! YOU HAS THE SPARKLY!