“Ecology is beginning to slowly shift focus with tentative explorations of what the world would look like if process, rather than matter were the basis for reality What if we defined a species in terms of its life processes? We might seriously doubt whether the California condor or the tall grass prairie can be 'saved' or even 'restored.' Perhaps we can re-create some local conditions that foster a few nests of condors or a few acres of prairie. But the life process of the condor ended with the urbanization of the California foothills and the living ebb and flow of the tall grass prairies died with the plowing of the Great Plains. What if we suggested that a thing is what it does? In this light, the Rocky Mountain locust was a immense aperiodic energy flow that linked life processes on a continental scale.
This notion of life-as-process might seem unusual in a society in which material existence is primary. But such a perception informs our deepest understanding of life. Indeed, life-as-process underlies our notion of euthanasia. When loved ones are simply bodies, devoid of the capacity to care, respond, or relate again a away that we can recognize as being "them," we understand that they are gone even before they are dead.”
―
This notion of life-as-process might seem unusual in a society in which material existence is primary. But such a perception informs our deepest understanding of life. Indeed, life-as-process underlies our notion of euthanasia. When loved ones are simply bodies, devoid of the capacity to care, respond, or relate again a away that we can recognize as being "them," we understand that they are gone even before they are dead.”
―
“Human decency is not derived from religion. It precedes it.”
― God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
― God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Letters to a Young Contrarian
― Letters to a Young Contrarian
Science and Natural History
— 1133 members
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This group is for those that just can't get enough of science and the natural world. *** All books are chosen by group members *** ...more
Bangalore bookworms and bibliophiles (BBB)
— 2872 members
— last activity Dec 26, 2025 08:23AM
A place for book lovers of Bangalore to meet, connect and have conversations (online and real life!) Just discussion about books! By book lovers! No ...more
Shyamal’s 2025 Year in Books
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