Why do some plants and animals live longer than humans?

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   marinealways24posted 14 years ago

   What do you believe is the reason that some plants and animals live longer than humans when we are supposedly the superior life?

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      cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      i think humans tend to reduce their lifespan with bad food choices. plus trees don't go around killing each other...

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      crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The slower you grow proportionally, the slower you die proportionally.  The cell growth rate in say for an example a tree is much slower than in humans.  So they reach full maturity much older, and take even longer to wither away.

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         northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         So actually as society is getting taller and bigger at a faster rate and maturing earlier. (9 year olds getting their periods) We're actually on the road to a shorter lifespan.  Well, that's probably nature's own solution to our overpopulation problem...

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            Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            And then so much for our superiority...well said.

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               northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Do I get a cookie?

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                  Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  You may have any cookie you like...you deserve that.

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                     northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     I think I'll have some milk too, so the growth hormones in the cow can shorten my lifespan even more...

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                        Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Alas for the poor cows. They didn't ask for that hormone. Humans did that to them.

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         Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         There is also the condition of indeterminate growth. Some reptiles will continue to grow, given the right conditions of adequate food source and no predators, to a size and age as yet unknown. They don't seem to have the "aging" gene.

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            marinealways24posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Why would this be still be evolved in the reptiles and turned off in humans or any other life? The purpose of evolution is for life to adapt and survive, why would it turn off a gene that allows life to live longer?

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               Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               What is the "it" you speak of? The purpose of evolution? Or something else?
               
               Why shouldn't this longevity gene be turned off in humans? Each species evolves in a different way.
               
               That does lead us to wonder if alligators are superior to humans.
               
               What a great crock!
               
               If the purpose of evolution, as you say, is for life to adapt and survive, then the crocs have it over the humans.
               
               Ain't life grand? Cockroaches beat us humans in terms of survivability as well.

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                  marinealways24posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Why would evolution turn off the gene when the purpose is to survive as long as possible? Maybe natures way of dealing with overpopulation? I don't think any animals or plants have adaptability over us in terms of exploration, if the planet was destroyed, we are the only ones that have capability to colonize another planet and explore space.

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      Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is one of the most provoking and fun threads I've seen in a long time. Thank you for that.

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      andromidaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Perhaps they fall under a different category of superiority.

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         northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, but this is superiority in general we are discussing, right?  Or is there a specific type of superiority marine had in mind when he started this forum?

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            Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Considering this thread exists in the Religion & Beliefs category, what do you think?

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               northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Oh dear, I think I'm lost...

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                  Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  No you are not lost!
                  
                  You said this:
                  
                  "Yes, but this is superiority in general we are discussing, right?  Or is there a specific type of superiority marine had in mind when he started this forum?"
                  
                  He didn't start this thread in history or philosophy or food forums; so, there must be a reason for starting it in religion.
                  
                  How about moral or religious superiority, as opposed to sociological or intellectual superiority?

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                     northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     My dog has a soul.  I firmly believe it.

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                        Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        And I sincerely believe that your dog and my recently departed pup just may have more superiority than any human, when measured by pure, unencumbered, unquestioned spirit and soul.

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                           northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Stress. lol

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      Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      they dont overeat, get stressed, drink too much beer, smoke....

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   Sally's Troveposted 14 years ago

   Well, we aren't the superior life as defined by longevity, considering redwoods and alligators that live for many more years beyond the human span.
   
   Plants and animals live longer than humans for reasons that are still not understood. What a nice mystery.

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   skyfireposted 14 years ago

   In terms of survival ? Nah..

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      Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Cockroaches come to mind...perhaps not as individuals, but certainly as a species that has been around for so many more years than the human's paltry few tens of thousands.

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   skyfireposted 14 years ago

   Cockroaches, Turtles and many other species from ocean are mystery...For plants i think they find more ways to survival than humans.

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      Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That's so interesting about plants. You can take a spider plantling, stick it in some water, and it makes a plant true to its parents. This isn't cloning, it's just a matter of how the plant propagates. Spider plants have probably been around for millions of years...how do you do that procreation magic with a human?

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         skyfireposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Interesting, one more thing is plants shows seasonal changes which we human don't show (correct me if i'm wrong here)changes as in flowers/fruit and color of leaves etc.

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            Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I do think that humans show seasonal changes, as evidenced by depression or seasonal affect disorder, or sun tans or energy levels.  However, humans have a tendency to refuse to acknowledge similarities between themselves and the rest of the physical world. So arrogant we can be.

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               skyfireposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I'm not aware of seasonal affect disorder...have to google i think...

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         TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Have you tried sticking a finger in some water and seeing what would happen?
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         I AM only kidding.

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            Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            LOL! I'd like to say I have. But usually when I stick my finger in water, it's accompanied by dish detergent, and I suppose that nasty chemical compound kills any hope I have for kicking myself into a new generation.

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               TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               LOL when I wrote that I was thinking of a dismembered finger...LOL just like with the plant....I know, I know...I'm sick.
               
               
               Thank GOD washing the dishes doesn't result in clone children. *whew!*

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                  Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  LOLOLOL...I needed a belly laugh!

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                     northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     >snicker<

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                     TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     So glad I could oblige *bows* I'll be here all week

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   Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

   ... because plants don't hit on  barflies named Sandra at 2:00 am in the morning, and then go home with her and the various life-threatening viruses she has picked up over the last 2 decades

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      Doug Hughesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Do you have Sandra's phone number? My shots are up-to-date.

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         Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         just go to your local gas station and enter any stall.. it should be written there

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         Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         8 6 7 5309... wait, that's Jenny

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      skyfireposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      rofl.... 

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      Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Those viruses she picked up have been around in one form or another for millions of years...far superior to humans in terms of longevity.

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         Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         you don't know her ike I do...
         
         her uterus is a pietri dish that is hosting the formation of dangerous new life forms as we speak

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            Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            And I'm glad I don't...
            
            Viruses take every opportunity to mutate and propagate. For all you know, there's a colony breeding in you.

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               Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I've always wanted kids!

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            Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            TKs?

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               Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Welcome?

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   waynetposted 14 years ago

   Because they don't drink and smoke and do every drug known!

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      Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      You are right; they don't do that. But humans have subjected them to pesticides and herbicides for at least the last 80 years, and still, they continue to thrive. I can't help but think how short-sighted we humans are. Superior?  HA!

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         Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         didnt you see how Will Smith killed that alien cockroach in Men in Black?
         
         Killed him good, he did!

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            Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            bully for him

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   northweststarrposted 14 years ago

   We're a superior life form? According to who? Besides us of course. Don't think anyone else really has a vote...

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      Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      the ability to vote on this question makes us superior!

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      Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      amen.

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   Michael Willisposted 14 years ago

   They don't go through Religious and Political Debates. LOL

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   Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

   unless and until and animal can BBQ me up, spread mayo on me, and put me in between two slices of bread, I refuse to acknowledge it's superiority

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      Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, but, one may invade your intestines and eat you from the inside. What do you think of that?

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         Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         eat me without condiments?
         
         That is a sign of inferiority

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            Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            ahhhhh, Greek One, you are in such pleasant denial.

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               Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               you said it sister!!

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                  Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Maybe the word should have been euphoric rather than pleasant...whichever, you excel at this gift.

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    northweststarrposted 14 years ago

    What no one else believes in extraterrestrial or extradimensional lifeforms?

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       Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I'm familar with two that have visited us..
       
       

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          northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          >snicker<

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    awareposted 14 years ago

    humans ... we like to think were different. look into any pair of eyes . anteater to zebra . look really hard. i think you will see we aren't. and as far as trees go ? their just a lot smarter than we.

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       northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       "They're just a lot smarter," aware. Jeez superior life forms would know how to hyphenate their own language, right?

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       Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Well then, let's see. The original question centered about superiority; now you bring up the question of smartness. No one has yet defined the terms. What is superior; what is smart? Intriguing.

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          marinealways24posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I would say the most complex minded is the higher consciousness for having the most capabilities to explore.

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    awareposted 14 years ago

    maybe ignorance is bliss. thinking to much. a flaw.i read it as live longer. anything after the first question mark in any question is. ... static to me. one day can outlive a lifetime.wana live longer than anything ever has? make every day count.

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       northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Oh goddess, I think I might as well just go slit my wrists now.

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    awareposted 14 years ago

    why  do that?

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       northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       

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    awareposted 14 years ago

    ill come up with better answers
    i sware

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       northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       AAAAAAhhhh! English abuse! Aware, you are in violation of code YCS (You Can't Spell)  in the Writer's handbook! You have the right to remain silent! Anything you say can be used against you in the court of the current forum and you are entitled to a jury of your peers... or whoever's here at the moment.

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          Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I diclair him inn-o-cent.  ha

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             northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             and we have a hung jury...

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                Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                ahhaahaa.
                well then, he gets to go free.

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    awareposted 14 years ago

    you spell tomato i spell tamato . i wrote it . tell me what you think

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       northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Oh, the poem?

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          northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          ... very mainstream.  Keep working on it and try to make it less generalized.  It's not a bad premise for a poem but the execution is a little uninspired. Keep "static to me" Definitely lose "ignorance is bliss" and "make every day count." The point of a poem is to present your own original ideas not to spout other people's but it's not a bad effort.  I've seen a lot worse on hubs.

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    awareposted 14 years ago

    you tell me am i a poet?

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       northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       you know it...

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    awareposted 14 years ago

    why don't weeds have the same life span as trees? charisma maybe .

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    awareposted 14 years ago

    not my post my hub.   the tomato thing . id appreciate some feed back on  it or any of my junk i like your tips .

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       northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Feedback is ok, I can do that. 

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    Sally's Troveposted 14 years ago

    Gee whiz, where's marinealways24?  Hasn't enough gone on here for a comment or rebuttal, a dash of sage wisdom, or a whatever?

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       northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       He's polishing his sword of truth...

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          Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          the bible?

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             northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             >snicker<

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          Sally's Troveposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Perhaps it's a patient polishing. In which case it takes time. So I hope it gleams when it appears.

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             Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

             usally does...I just saw him over to the einsiten thread...

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    marinealways24posted 14 years ago

    You people talking silly?
    I am waiting to see all the interesting answers. I am kinda pissed off that I thought I was smarter than some animals, yet a slow turtle can outlive me.

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       Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       maybe its the slow that makes 'em live longer.

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          Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          sorry about the silly but you were MIA and we all got bored...

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          marinealways24posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          "maybe its the slow that makes them live longer".
          
          This could be true, but how?

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       Twenty One Daysposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       MA, you appear to be looking at that turtle as an inferior creature. Perhaps that turtle represents a lesson all humans should learn -the value of life rests on the individual. A turtle cannot choose when it dies or how long, it is build into them -the bootstrap program. Granted, there are olives trees I have actually seen with my eyes, that are a thousand years old, in Northern California. but who is to say humans should die since we are the only creature on this planet with ability to choose life/death.
       
       Genetics plays a small part in the argument, consciousness plays a larger part. The key is not the span of time we perceive, but the necessity to live.
       
       This is what cracks me up about both sides if the Ism -one claims life is endless by ritual belief yet does not adhere to it; the other is working desperately to prolong life only to accept a mythical fate of death.
       
       Is that turtle smarter or more advanced than humans?
       Makes you wonder...

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          northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Or the dolphins?  Ever read "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy?" There's some food for thought...

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             crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             It has actually been scientifically proven that dolphins are sentient.  They display complex emotions, can recognize themselves in a mirror, have demonstrated empathy, and are the only other mammals that have sex for pleasure.
             
             This most specifically applies to the Bottlenose Dolphin.

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                northweststarrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                See, my point exactly! Thanx crmhaske!

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             Twenty One Daysposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             starr, yes, a while back. awesome book!
             
             
             crmhaske, i am all for the dolphin position.
             
             
             habee: why not?

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    habeeposted 14 years ago

    Why should we live longer?

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       marinealways24posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Shouldn't the most complexed minded be able to figure out how to live the longest?

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    logic,commonsenseposted 14 years ago

    They keep it simple.  Born, eat sleep, have sex, die.

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    mtsi1098posted 14 years ago

    animals do not drink beer, smoke cigars and have to drive to work - I am guessing anyway

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    crmhaskeposted 14 years ago

    Animals also don't have complex emotions tied in with longevity.  The human mind isn't equipped to endure.  We are the only living beings that know we die.

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    mega1posted 14 years ago

    why is there orange?

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       crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Because red and yellow had way too much to drink.

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          mega1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          yes!  I knew there would be an answer!  Thanks!  now I can rest easy. :

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             crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Great!  Red hasn't been able to rest easy though - no matter how hard he tries, he just can't erase that night's memory o_O

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       Beelzedadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Blue light waves are absorbed.

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    skyfireposted 14 years ago

    Dolphins ? I guess not but asking anyway.

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       crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Granted we have no way to know conclusively at present; however, they do not appear to exhibit any closure behaviours similar to the way humans "get their affairs in order" when they know the end is near.  No other living species besides humans seem to attempt to make any preparations for those they will leave behind, which is a major indicator of the knowledge of mortality.  Evidence suggests however the some species are capable of "sensing" when another member of their species is close to death, and some even appear to mourn the passing - but there appears to be no consistency across species in this behaviour.  I think that would be an interesting course of study.

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