Yes they are certainly alive as we define life if they undergo living processes like reaction to stimuli. Indeed a living disembodied head would be much like a paraplegic.
I suppose it is theoretically possible to keep someone animated and able to communicate by provide their severed head with nutrients and oxygen... but it would be a form of prison, or Hell on earth for them. Why do you ask?
Humans are more than just a battery -- for energy.
Originally, the Matrix compared humans to microchips, and the producers told the Wachowskis to change it to a battery because they thought people wouldn't understand.
Okay, what if we are processor chips?
How important, then, would a single human brain be to the Matrix?
Going one better, look into the various discussions about, "are we living in a simulation?" We couldn't tell, because any sufficiently complex simulation would include things like doubt, self reliance, and any and all sensory input we think we receive.
Technically speaking yes. A disembodied head could be considered alive by the textbook definition at least. Supposing it was provided the necessary nutrients, oxygen, and assorted bits and bobs necessary to sustain the biological parts.
In the more philosophical or esoteric definition. You can mount stronger arguments one way or another. Because then it’s calling into question what exactly it means to be alive. To be alive. Do you just need to be sucking air? Well metaphorically in the case of the proverbial head. Or is being alive actually physically experiencing all the joys, sorrows and pleasures life has to offer? Because as of right now a head in a jar can’t really physically experience anything. Except sight. Maybe sound depending on how generous whoever developed the box it’s mounted in was. That is of course supposing the head exhibits conscious awareness of their circumstances. If said aforementioned head is consciously aware. One could reasonably infer the soul or whatever semantics you prefer for the concept is still present in the head. Which means you just ask what they want.
I’ve thought about similar questions before. Not specifically in regards to severed heads in Jars. Just about the nature of humanity. What it means to be alive and be human.
My thoughts however were spurred on by the discussions of genetics and genetic manipulation. Not just related to the Jabs. But more all encompassing. For instance it’s been speculated that the Cabal has experimented with full on gene splicing of humans and animals. With varying reports, dependent on your precise source, on the exact nature and scale of the experiments. The veracity, truthfulness, and accuracy of aforementioned reports of course can’t be proven. Granted the rather cloudy fog of war. But it is still food for thought.
I feel we’ll have a lot of frankly challenging religious, philosophical, and moral questions to confront. Probably far sooner then we’re necessarily prepared for.
Yes they are certainly alive as we define life if they undergo living processes like reaction to stimuli. Indeed a living disembodied head would be much like a paraplegic.
Great analogy.
I suppose it is theoretically possible to keep someone animated and able to communicate by provide their severed head with nutrients and oxygen... but it would be a form of prison, or Hell on earth for them. Why do you ask?
You see, that's the part I gotta be careful about.
Watch the Matrix, specifically Agent Smith's monologue to Morpheus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrBdYmStZJ4
Humans are more than just a battery -- for energy.
Originally, the Matrix compared humans to microchips, and the producers told the Wachowskis to change it to a battery because they thought people wouldn't understand.
Okay, what if we are processor chips?
How important, then, would a single human brain be to the Matrix?
Going one better, look into the various discussions about, "are we living in a simulation?" We couldn't tell, because any sufficiently complex simulation would include things like doubt, self reliance, and any and all sensory input we think we receive.
Well, let me flip it upside down on you.
The Cabal doesn't view us as Humans, right?
What if WE are the machines, and they are the ones revolting against us?
That We The People are the Matrix, and they are trying to escape from the Collective Conscience.
To do that, would you have to reprogram as many "nodes" as possible, to have them think like you?
If humans are microchips, then what does it mean to reprogram a microchip to work against the Machine?
Oh boy, another rabbit hole to go down. Think I'll stop right here and go back to the GAW main page.
Yet another interesting thought to cram into my head with all the others. Thanks for feeding my already overfed, under-exercised brain.
Pass that this way
Green up, KEK
All depends on how you define it.
Technically speaking yes. A disembodied head could be considered alive by the textbook definition at least. Supposing it was provided the necessary nutrients, oxygen, and assorted bits and bobs necessary to sustain the biological parts.
In the more philosophical or esoteric definition. You can mount stronger arguments one way or another. Because then it’s calling into question what exactly it means to be alive. To be alive. Do you just need to be sucking air? Well metaphorically in the case of the proverbial head. Or is being alive actually physically experiencing all the joys, sorrows and pleasures life has to offer? Because as of right now a head in a jar can’t really physically experience anything. Except sight. Maybe sound depending on how generous whoever developed the box it’s mounted in was. That is of course supposing the head exhibits conscious awareness of their circumstances. If said aforementioned head is consciously aware. One could reasonably infer the soul or whatever semantics you prefer for the concept is still present in the head. Which means you just ask what they want.
I’ve thought about similar questions before. Not specifically in regards to severed heads in Jars. Just about the nature of humanity. What it means to be alive and be human.
My thoughts however were spurred on by the discussions of genetics and genetic manipulation. Not just related to the Jabs. But more all encompassing. For instance it’s been speculated that the Cabal has experimented with full on gene splicing of humans and animals. With varying reports, dependent on your precise source, on the exact nature and scale of the experiments. The veracity, truthfulness, and accuracy of aforementioned reports of course can’t be proven. Granted the rather cloudy fog of war. But it is still food for thought.
I feel we’ll have a lot of frankly challenging religious, philosophical, and moral questions to confront. Probably far sooner then we’re necessarily prepared for.