How do you distinguish between living and nonliving systems?
I usually see a living system as made up of cells that breathe, move, and reproduce. I now see that there are much better ideas out there than that! I like a more systematic description such as autopoiesis--key criteria being patern of organization, structure, and life process. I think what I've always imagined was the life process part of it and left out the rest.
What do you feel is the significance of the use of language and tools in chimps?
I think it is significant in that it shows that using tools doesn't make us any more special than anyone else. But it seems like numerous other animals use tools, too. Of course, I do think it's special that some animals can use tools to be able to do things the rest can't. It is SPECIAL but it's not MORE SPECIAL than what many animals can do that we will never be able to do unless we become X-men.
Chinese Medicine Gaining Respectability in the West?
This is very exciting but also alarming! There are many gains to be made and huge challenges that could be insurmountable. I was just reading this article in the California journal of om discussing the future of acupuncture, entitled "Acupunture USA 2010: Worst-Case Scenarios". It asks some really great questions about big challenges and do we have an industry approach to systematically addressing and solving them? For example, acu colleges might want more students, the profession might prosper with fewer new entrants, without hindering public access to care at reasonable cost. It raises the question of whether the profession tracks the financial performance of acupuncturists and comparatively to other medical professions.
These are all responsible and necessary things to do!
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