[Doctor Stochastic]

The wikipedia discussion of life points out some of the problems with trying to create definitions for borderline cases. The real world doesn't neatly pigeonhole itself into clearcut cases.

Does one want to call a mountain range "living"? They do grow, move, emit offspring, etc.

The hills are going somewhere;
They have been on the way a long time.
They are like camels in a line
But they move more slowly.

- Hilda Conkling

[MacDorcha]

"Does one want to call a mountain range "living"? They do grow, move, emit offspring, etc."

no, because a mountain range, while "emiting offspring" do not create an "offspring" that will one day be parallel to the original. if it produces more than one, they will be smaller, and most likely of a different composition. also, please, "kill" a mountain. if it is living, it must die.

thanks for citing a poet to explain sciene though, it proves you have some stock in abstract ideas. now apply them.