Lives on Earth

senescence

  • The Immortal Jellyfish

    There is a species of small jellyfish that will, when it is sick or injured, instead of dying, fully regenerate itself. It will sink “to the bottom of the ocean floor, where its body folds in on itself—assuming the jellyfish… Continue reading

  • Feeling Old? Envy the Lobster

    Death may be difficult to accept, but it is a clear state of affairs: when an organism no longer lives, it has died. Aging, however—wrinkling, weakening, deteriorating and the rest of the assault—seems less self-explanatory. Why does it take place?… Continue reading

  • Genesis for Non-Theists

    Creation narratives are lively stories.  In the Bible, God creates the universe and earth in six days. In other traditions, creatures are dismembered, huge eggs hatch, birds create land.   Even science’s own creation narrative starts with a Bang. And… Continue reading

  • “Getting Dead”

    It seems obvious to us that death is what happens when a plant or an animal like ourselves looses the ability to feed and nourish itself and to protect itself from environmental hazards or from enemies. Such an unfortunate organism… Continue reading