[Alamo-Girl]

My claim, however (FWIW) is that even unicellular organisms possess a form of basic awareness, a sort of "proto-intelligence."

I agree. And the linked and excerpted website supports that point rather well.

The sub-text in my view is autonomy and semiosis, the unicellular organism is acting as a whole, communicating [Shannon] with its environment and internally, e.g. to decide and to move.

Thank you so very much for sharing your insights, dearest sister in Christ!

[betty boop]

The sub-text in my view is autonomy and semiosis, the unicellular organism is acting as a whole, communicating [Shannon] with its environment and internally, e.g. to decide and to move.

It seems to me likewise; an organism is alive as long as it's communicating. When it is no longer doing that, then it's dead. Pretty stupid simple, I'd say. But nonetheless true.

Thank you so very much for writing, dearest sister in Christ!