New Miscellany (General)

by dhw, Saturday, January 25, 2025, 08:34 (6 days ago) @ David Turell

LUCA

QUOTE: The inferred age suggests that the process required a surprisingly short interval of geologic time.

DAVID: The striking point is how quickly life appeared after the Earth formed. Strongly supports the concept of a designer at work.

dhw: Now perhaps you will tell us how you and the author know how long life normally takes to appear.

DAVID: Impossible!!! We have evidence of first life, but it has an unknown starting point. we don't know how it started!!!

So you and the author have no possible grounds for telling us that life appeared surprisingly quickly (supporting the concept of design). This would only be a surprise if you knew how long life normally takes to appear! (Three exclamation marks if you like.)

T-cells help gut immunity

dhw: The whole article exemplifies the manner in which cells can transform themselves in response to different requirements, and cooperate with other cells within their community. Cells “instructing” other cells as and when necessary suggests to me (as it does to many experts in the field) that cells have the autonomous ability to absorb and process information and take their own decisions on how to use it. The possible origin of this form of intelligence is, of course, an open question, and I for one can quite understand the view that it would require a designer God to create such a mechanism.

DAVID: I agree.

This should be a red letter day, as you have hitherto been so resolutely opposed to the
concept of cellular intelligence. I’ll hold onto your agreement while it lasts.