The Real World Discussion Thread

[Mahek_The_Assassin_Silent_Killer]

I'mma ask this question across multiple relevant threads to have as many people as possible answer it to see everyone's opinions:
If you could be any real-life (past, present, future) organism/living being other than a human, what would you want to be? (Beings in mythology/religion and fiction can be a separate question and answer)

 

[Mahek_The_Assassin_Silent_Killer]

I'mma ask this question across multiple relevant threads to have as many people as possible answer it to see everyone's opinions:
If you could be any real-life (past, present, future) organism/living being other than a human, what would you want to be? (Beings in mythology/religion and fiction can be a separate question and answer)

I think I'd want to be a microorganism...
(I know there's a few microorganisms that can exist in practically every environment no matter the conditions (and thus could potentially live nearly anywhere in the Universe if lucky) and also a few microorganisms that have managed to live/survive for millions of years even through multiple mass extinction events so yeah, those kinds of microorganisms are damn lucky in the sense of being able to live anywhere and everywhere and being near-immortal if they find a good place to escape all forms of harm.)

Earliest known life forms - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

List of longest-living organisms - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Extremophile - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Mahek_The_Assassin_Silent_Killer]

I think I'd want to be a microorganism...
(I know there's a few microorganisms that can exist in practically every environment no matter the conditions (and thus could potentially live nearly anywhere in the Universe if lucky) and also a few microorganisms that have managed to live/survive for millions of years even through multiple mass extinction events so yeah, those kinds of microorganisms are damn lucky in the sense of being able to live anywhere and everywhere and being near-immortal if they find a good place to escape all forms of harm.)

Earliest known life forms - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

List of longest-living organisms - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Extremophile - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Speaking of which, I found insane stuff just now.

A bacteria may just determine how long you live says Duke University researchers: What is Akkermansia? Can certain foods trigger its growth?

While bacteria may be looked upon with suspicion (not without justification!), how long you live, may well be determined by a bacteria. Know all about the bacteria which rules heart health and functioning of many organs.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

Scientists discover how to turn gut bacteria into anti-aging factories

Researchers found that small doses of an antibiotic can coax gut bacteria into producing a life-extending compound. In worms, this led to longer lifespans, while mice showed healthier cholesterol and insulin changes. Because the drug stays in the gut, it avoids toxic side effects. The study...

www.sciencedaily.com

Oldest living microbes found in 2-billion-year-old rock

The organisms are 1.9 billion years older than the previously known record holders.

www.popsci.com

The last one is probably the most insane to me.
We have living organisms that have lasted nearly half the amount of time Earth has been around AND survived nearly every mass extinction life has gone through.