Isn’t the question of just-what-is-life-anyway more of a worry for linguists and philosophers rather than scientists?<p>“Life” as it were, is a concept invented with either the intention of distinguishing “us” from the rocks around ourselves, or, if you’re being slightly less charitable, giving “us” a way to insult the, um, others.<p>Sure, drawing some line in the sand between mice and boulders is a great idea, but it’s a pretty arbitrary one, especially if you have to strap a bunch of historical baggage on it.<p>This grand debate is almost as fun as what-constitutes-a-planet. We should do that one again.