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katydidnt · 61-69, F
I am shallow, not deep, when it comes to philosophical thought, but by looking things up, I note that the early 20th Century Existentialist movement posed this very question, well put in these words:
“...[we] explore the human individual's struggle to lead an authentic life despite the apparent absurdity or incomprehensibility of existence.”
Their question lay not in seeking an answer to “why do we exist”, but to examine why, given that we do exist, are we driven (or coerced) to live “good” lives, knowing that with few exception among the living, we’ll be forgotten in the short space of a few generations? Why are we such angstroms in a world of light years?
These thoughts have me by the ear, here in the days of my waning moon. They leave me helpless, able to offer in answer to your question only the above--another question.
“...[we] explore the human individual's struggle to lead an authentic life despite the apparent absurdity or incomprehensibility of existence.”
Their question lay not in seeking an answer to “why do we exist”, but to examine why, given that we do exist, are we driven (or coerced) to live “good” lives, knowing that with few exception among the living, we’ll be forgotten in the short space of a few generations? Why are we such angstroms in a world of light years?
These thoughts have me by the ear, here in the days of my waning moon. They leave me helpless, able to offer in answer to your question only the above--another question.
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DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
@Ferise1 No. Life is change, even in death. Even your body transforms forever throughout eternity. Even the very atoms change elections from moment to moment. Alive or dead.
Ferise1 · 46-50, M
@DeWayfarer no there’s a gigantic difference between life and death in life that cells keep regenerating in death. Everything is destroyed forever. It keeps on being more and more destroyed. Death is the ultimate violence.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
@Ferise1 Nothing is ever destroyed. That would violate the law of conservation of energy.
Everything changes!
This particular combination of DNA is unique. Yet even the components of this DNA is ever changing, in unnoticeable ways, before conception.
You are not the same person from moment to moment!
Everything changes.
Everything changes!
This particular combination of DNA is unique. Yet even the components of this DNA is ever changing, in unnoticeable ways, before conception.
You are not the same person from moment to moment!
Everything changes.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
@whowasthatmaskedman Which self? 🙃
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@DeWayfarer Decartes self. "I think, therefore, I am.."😷
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
@whowasthatmaskedman I always wondered what he thought of himself when he was drunk! And yes he was a drunkard. 🤷🏻♂
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@DeWayfarer To quote Monty Python on Decarte "I drink, therefore I am"😷
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
@whowasthatmaskedman Me: "I drink, therefore I tinkled"
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@DeWayfarer It is a practical fact that philosophy and "the good life" go hand in glove. The poorer classes spent their time trying to maintain food and shelter, and didnt have time to ponder the bigger philosophical questions. That was something the relatively rich, who could afford food and wine and had spare time did..😷
Ferise1 · 46-50, M
@DeWayfarer dude the second the heart stops and the lungs stop breathing and the blood stops pumping and the brain shuts down. Everything is absolutely destroyed and starts to rot forever. It is. NOT. Transformation. It is ultimate destruction.
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Ferise1 · 46-50, M
@DeWayfarer it’s total destruction. During life your cells keep regenerating. As soon as you stop breathing, everything starts to rot!!!
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
@Ferise1 The process of destruction would be inherent in your very own DNA!
Life is change. One way or the other!
Babies do die from genetic disorders.
Life is change. One way or the other!
Babies do die from genetic disorders.
Ferise1 · 46-50, M
@DeWayfarer no it’s not inherent in our DNA
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
@Ferise1 Yes it is inherent. DNA mutates! From birth to Death.
Ferise1 · 46-50, M
@DeWayfarer the rotting of the DNA is not written in the DNA
Ferise1 · 46-50, M
@DeWayfarer I didn’t need to look it up that here you go
Great question — and kind of a poetic one, in a morbid-science way.
Short version: no, rotting isn’t “written into” our DNA. But DNA absolutely sets the stage for what happens after death.
Here’s how it breaks down.
What DNA does (while you’re alive)
Your DNA contains instructions for:
• how your cells function
• how your immune system works
• how your tissues are built and maintained
As long as you’re alive, your body is constantly fighting decay. Repairing cells, killing bacteria, replacing damaged tissue — all of that anti-rot work is active, nonstop.
What happens at death
When you die:
• Oxygen supply stops
• Cells can’t make energy (ATP)
• Maintenance and repair systems shut down
That’s the key point: rotting begins because regulation stops, not because a “rot program” switches on.
There is no gene that says “Okay, time to decompose.”
Why decomposition still happens
After death, three main things take over:
1. Autolysis (self-digestion)
Your own enzymes, which were tightly controlled in life, start breaking down cells once regulation is gone.
2. Bacteria (especially gut bacteria)
These microbes were always there. Your immune system kept them in check. Once it’s offline, they multiply freely and digest tissues.
3. Environmental organisms
Insects, fungi, and external bacteria join the party depending on conditions.
DNA made the body — but it doesn’t script its destruction.
So is decay “inevitable”?
Yes, but for physical reasons, not genetic intent:
• Complex molecules break down without energy input
• Entropy wins when maintenance stops
Think of it like this:
DNA builds the house.
Life is the constant maintenance crew.
Death is when the crew leaves — and weather, mold, and time do the rest.
Subtle DNA connection (but not what you’re thinking)
DNA does influence:
• how fast tissues break down
• body composition (fat vs muscle)
• microbiome makeup
So genetics can affect how decomposition looks — but not that it happens.
If you want, we can go deeper into:
• why mummification sometimes happens
• why some bodies decompose slower
• or the philosophical angle (biology vs meaning)
This is one of those questions where science quietly bumps into existential stuff.
Great question — and kind of a poetic one, in a morbid-science way.
Short version: no, rotting isn’t “written into” our DNA. But DNA absolutely sets the stage for what happens after death.
Here’s how it breaks down.
What DNA does (while you’re alive)
Your DNA contains instructions for:
• how your cells function
• how your immune system works
• how your tissues are built and maintained
As long as you’re alive, your body is constantly fighting decay. Repairing cells, killing bacteria, replacing damaged tissue — all of that anti-rot work is active, nonstop.
What happens at death
When you die:
• Oxygen supply stops
• Cells can’t make energy (ATP)
• Maintenance and repair systems shut down
That’s the key point: rotting begins because regulation stops, not because a “rot program” switches on.
There is no gene that says “Okay, time to decompose.”
Why decomposition still happens
After death, three main things take over:
1. Autolysis (self-digestion)
Your own enzymes, which were tightly controlled in life, start breaking down cells once regulation is gone.
2. Bacteria (especially gut bacteria)
These microbes were always there. Your immune system kept them in check. Once it’s offline, they multiply freely and digest tissues.
3. Environmental organisms
Insects, fungi, and external bacteria join the party depending on conditions.
DNA made the body — but it doesn’t script its destruction.
So is decay “inevitable”?
Yes, but for physical reasons, not genetic intent:
• Complex molecules break down without energy input
• Entropy wins when maintenance stops
Think of it like this:
DNA builds the house.
Life is the constant maintenance crew.
Death is when the crew leaves — and weather, mold, and time do the rest.
Subtle DNA connection (but not what you’re thinking)
DNA does influence:
• how fast tissues break down
• body composition (fat vs muscle)
• microbiome makeup
So genetics can affect how decomposition looks — but not that it happens.
If you want, we can go deeper into:
• why mummification sometimes happens
• why some bodies decompose slower
• or the philosophical angle (biology vs meaning)
This is one of those questions where science quietly bumps into existential stuff.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
@Ferise1 That is the definition of inherent. "Entropy wins when maintenance stops"
Entropy always wins!
Even the rates of change, change!
Nothing lives forever.
Even the DNA of the oldest living trees mutate.
Just the rate of change is only that much slower.
It still changes!
Entropy always wins!
Even the rates of change, change!
Nothing lives forever.
Even the DNA of the oldest living trees mutate.
Just the rate of change is only that much slower.
It still changes!
Ferise1 · 46-50, M
@DeWayfarer yes but entropy is destruction. It’s not a good thing.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
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