Supernovae are physics, enzymes are biology, catalysts are chemistry. The disciplines are arbitrary and without good lines between them, but they effect the terms of the discussion about them. Complex crystals with unusual physical properties are likely to be studied destructively to determine the nature of those physical properties. Anything with a high chemical energy density might be used as fuel.
In short, there is no way to tell the difference between alien minerals and alien life. Further, I don't expect alien civilization to easily determine that the primary intelligence on Earth is carbon-based, rather than silicon and iron based. The most noticeable difference between Earth and Mars at interstellar distances is EM radiation, most of which is directly created by iron-based artifacts. It would not be too far off to describe us as a collection of artifacts which are operated by us, even after establishing two-way communication.
In short, there is no way to tell the difference between alien minerals and alien life.
That's why I was asking the question. I suspect that for every non-anthropomorphic definition of life there is a handy counter-example out there.
The most noticeable difference between Earth and Mars at interstellar distances is EM radiation, most of which is directly created by iron-based artifacts.
I am not sure whether this is an invalid point of view. Or that humans are the latest generation of machines designed to preserve and proliferate mitochondria. Or any other outside view of life.
Today's post, Humans in Funny Suits was originally published on 30 July 2008. A summary (taken from the LW wiki):
Discuss the post here (rather than in the comments to the original post).
This post is part of the Rerunning the Sequences series, where we'll be going through Eliezer Yudkowsky's old posts in order so that people who are interested can (re-)read and discuss them. The previous post was Interpersonal Morality, and you can use the sequence_reruns tag or rss feed to follow the rest of the series.
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