Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Or vice versa: It's plant DNA that has infected an animal and uses it for reproduction. The algae's chloroplasts haven't figured out how to survive the step into the next generation, yet, though.


Right. If the genes were giving the snail sores, we'd call it a virus. Perception is reality


Outcome is reality.

I recall a definition of mental illness that requires it to have a negative impact on the person.

A mutation may be adaptive or maladaptive. It depends on the creature as a whole - and also the current environment.

That environment is analogous to the market part of "product+market" for a startup: the identical technology/product can be a winner or a loser, depending on extra-product factors.


Yes, outcome is reality. But the words we use, plant taking over snail or snail stealing plant genes, are shaped by perception.


I see that your reply to davidw was about actor/object; but I was replying to crayz, who was talking about "borrowing some DNA"/"being infected" ie. whether the effect was good or bad. hmmm... at least that's how I read him, anyway; but maybe he was also focusing on actor/object... regardless, I still say I have a valid point! :-) Good day, sir!


What I would call reality is the percentage of the genome from the original snails and from the algae.


That's probably a good way to look at the issue.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2027 batch! Applications are open till November 2.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: