To: one_less who wrote (9132 ) 9/28/2010 4:07:03 PM From: Solon Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 69300 "They do this without needing to be plugged in or turned on by an external operator. " I don't think that makes a significant point. A cell is always "on" except when it is dead. So it certainly experienced a "turning on" and it will experience a "turning off". I would like to winnow out the things that machines do as well or better than cells so that we can get some clean information to work from."Their operations and structures are more complex than we have the ability to think through using our brain's cognitive processes " And this "point" can be ignored. If I do not understand their "operations", I can scarcely be expected to evaluate them as to complexity or any other variable."Our brain is made up of these intelligent cells too. Think macro and micro intelligence. " Our brain is made up of cells--very special cells. Using the adjective "intelligent" does not provide an argument for intelligence."All cells of the body are possessed of intelligence just as the original cell which started the construction of the body. If a man is intelligent the cell must be. " Why must every cell be intelligent if the man is intelligent? Does it follow that a man with maximal brain impairment has stupid cells making up his body??"The cell is an a active living animal who mates, loves, feels, eats, drinks, breathes, jumps, moves and performs all the things that every animals does, that it, has the attributes of a living being. " To follow the "arguments" of the writer, cabbages must "jump", "feel" and "love" too?? How does this person have the sheer nerve to assert (without any attempt at evidence) the extreme proposition that cabbage cells "jump" and "love"? Do cabbage cells love their enemies, as well? Do they love foreign cuisine--and do they, in fact, love "jumping"??? I would like to know and I feel assured that Noreen would have the answer."Cells are builders; they are expert chemists, artists, sculptors and mathematicians " A cabbage cell is a mathematician? Is this a fair way to discuss a serious topic? An onion cell is an artist--a sculptor? It goes outside of itself and delights in creating mathematical sculptures for the sake of artistic enjoyment?? And is there possibly anything they are not "EXPERT" at????"They select and choose what is wanted and leave the other material alone. " Always at the "EXPERT" level, too huh?? The words "select", "choose", and "wanted" are all out of place here. They do not select, choose, or want anymore than a cell in your nose selects and chooses and wants a molecule that precisely fits into a particular receptacle. Certainly, all very awe inspiring and wonderful but hardly evidence that the cells in your nose are like people who jump for joy and sculpt and love and gambol about remembering all the successes and failures and wonderful lessons they have learned over a lifetime of thought and study. Certainly, the subject of cell "intelligence" is a worthy topic but I don't think Noreen contributes to our understanding with her anthropomorphic and gratuitous references to their little sculpting "hands" and their quick, ready, and loving minds. I wonder what part of the cell is the thinking part?? Surely not in their little hands or their little jumping feet?? Or their loving little hearts?? What part of the cell "loves"?? What part of the cell "feels"?? What part of the cell "jumps"?? Does the cell have a neuron path between the inception and the act?? Between the joy and the jump?? The truth of the matter is simply this: I have a deep respect for biological science and I find the cellular make-up of life to be fascinating. I don't wish to demean the legitimate mystery and profound and intricate complexity that puzzles and delights humanity, by sullying it with the vapid, vacuous, and anthropomorphous spewings of this fairy child to whom language is a mere balm and unguent. And if Noreen is your real name, Less...then I am even more disappointed...