Assignment 2

Passage 1

How could attractions and repulsions be together?

It’s possible for these attractions and repulsion be together inside the matter, while somehow the exsistence of one might be there to minimize the other. Also, what surrounds the object, the environment, will also use attarctions and repulsions to make matters react. The clearest example is the video shown in class, some small iron balls is put in special oil and triggered by two electrodes, those balls react differently when the electrodes shift. Basically, it really depends on the context.

Passage 2

Can life and consciousness be seen as a higher form of self-assembly in a universe that seems to be tending towards chaos? If so, what does this tell us about our understanding of the nature of consciousness and humanity’s place in the universe?

I think life and consciousness could be regarded as a higher form of self-assembly, the basic example is human. Our social behaviours are quite like what was discussed in class for those materials, because they compete, grow, expand network-like shapes and figure out the best solution, so do us. At the same time, according to the entropy theory, we(or life) emerge from the balance between orders and chaos, so does the materials. In this perspective, we are similar, and in the developing process, we are all tending towards chaos. 

As our behaviours are more flexible then the materials, though we all have regularities, from my point of view, our position in the universe might be higher or the highest so far. However, if we regard the similarities in micro and macro scope, the materials and us are on the same level. 

 

Writing

The third world war is coming, and our ‘govrnmt’ decided to use a biochemical weapon to invade other territories. As I made great contribution in biology and chemistry, especially in 2040s, the jellybor, I was asked to R&D the weapon.

It is a virus-like biochemical material that regenerates and self-assembles, akin to a living slime. The molecules of the slime-like virus is in dark red color with the similar shape of blood cell so that they are hard to be discovered. Each of them has suction cups so that they could attach to each other or on the blood vessel, and suck in tissues as well.

Generated by AI

Upon injection, this material exhibits a deadly intelligence, instantly attaching itself to blood vessels at the site of entry. From there, it quickly spreads, flowing seamlessly which is like the root of the tree or stings of fungas toward the heart and brain, where it begins its destruction.

The weapon doesn’t aim to destroy its host immediately. Instead, it invades the brainstem and surrounding tissue, slowly consuming neural structures. This process is horrifyingly stealthy, as the victim experiences only slight, momentary dull pain during the initial stages of infection—small enough to dismiss, perhaps like a fleeting headache. Soon after, the body ‘recovers’, and the individual feels normal again, completely unaware that their brain is being silently eroded.

For about a week, the victim continues with their daily life, appearing perfectly healthy. Meanwhile, the biochemical agent steadily degrades the brain’s essential functions, meticulously consuming brainstem tissue without triggering significant immediate symptoms. The weapon is designed not to cause dramatic death scenes but to induce a seemingly peaceful demise. After approximately a week, the individual dies in their sleep, their brain having been quietly compromised. This slow, deceptive, and regenerating material leaves no obvious trail at all.

 

Reference

《危險星球》：貨真價實的「喪屍真菌」《國家地理》雜誌 (youtube.com)

The Evolution of Bacteria on a “Mega-Plate” Petri Dish (Kishony Lab) (youtube.com)

This Underground Economy Exists in a Secret Fungi Kingdom (youtube.com)