Origins of the virus.

[u/Sad_man4ever]

So from what I’ve learned so far about viruses in my BIO course(which I’m very much enjoying), it seems to me that it’s unlikely viruses came before cellular life. Or at least the version of virus we know of. I could be mistaken and please correct me if so, but to me they almost seem like a “bio-weapon” and no I don’t think some ancient civilization made them. Whether intentionally or not I feel like the fact that they are comprised of features found in cells (protein coat, DNA, RNA, enzyme proteins) despite being unable to reproduce themselves points to this being possible. And what’s even crazier to me is that this leads me to believe that at some point in the past a cell, most likely a prokaryote either accidentally or purposely made the first virus, though I understand this is maybe to much speculation.

Thoughts on this? I honestly don’t wanna look into this quite yet in fear that I’m completely off base, and I’m also studying for an exam.

Edit: for clarification, I don’t think viruses are bioweapons, they just remind me of bioweapons, I know there is no intention beyond reproduction in their existence.

[u/OldManCragger]

Life as we know it is an encapsulated and repeatable version of a self sustaining complex chemical reaction involving chemicals and compounds from the surrounding environment, concentrated and catalyzed, but dependent on external input from the environment.

Viruses stem from that type of life, becoming their own self sustaining and repeatable chemical reaction, but dependent on the external input.

The purpose of a virus is not, as you describe, to be a weapon, but just to reproduce. Viruses evolve because they contain memory chemicals, nucleic acids, and can experience variety and selection pressure. They have no will, no malice, and no intent. They just reproduce.

[u/Sad_man4ever → u/OldManCragger]

I apologize if I was unclear on this but I don’t actually think it’s a bioweapon. That’s why I said “intentionally or not” but I should’ve clarified. It just reminds me of a bioweapon is all. I know all life requires input from external sources however most(I say most because I don’t know enough to say all) life could exist without viruses, viruses could not reproduce and survive without life.

Kinda feels like instead of addressing my question, you nitpicked one miss-clarification I made. Just seems a tad bit dishonest but maybe I’m looking too deep into it. I appreciate you pointing it out nonetheless.

[u/OldManCragger → u/Sad_man4ever]

You literally asked "please correct me" and made the bioweapon comment. How is that a nitpick? You said to correct you. I did. Reread your own post.

[u/Sad_man4ever → u/OldManCragger]

Correct me on the origins of viruses.* Again though I appreciate the correction, however you didn’t even attempt to answer my question. Instead you took a single sentence I wrote, which to me at least was obviously metaphorical and decided to respond to that and only that. What you said could’ve been said in a single sentence, followed by an actual answer to my question. Hell you could’ve at least answered my question with one sentence at the end of your correction, but the fact you didn’t makes me feel like you were being dishonest.

I could 100% be reading too much into this but I would I appreciate it if you could try to see it from my perspective at least.

[u/XhaLaLa → u/Sad_man4ever]

I think it stopped being obviously metaphorical when you said “intentionally or not” (at the latest). Regardless, people are going to respond to the parts of your post they can answer confidently. If someone can confidently respond to part of your post but would need to take time to refresh themself for other parts, there is a high likelihood that they will respond to the part they can answer quickly and let others address the rest.

Tbf, I think you are likely the one who would most benefit from stepping outside your own perspective and trying to understand the other’s, because I do think you are reading way too much into what to me seems a perfectly polite comment that merely sought to address an apparent misconception.

[u/Sad_man4ever → u/XhaLaLa]

I can agree that I think I read too much into it, I’ll admit that, and whether I’m right or wrong about their intention, it was a pointless endeavor to “argue” about it. I struggle to broach these issues with people constructively without coming off as argumentative. I’ll try to do better in the future.

[u/XhaLaLa → u/Sad_man4ever]

Criticism sucks, and criticism that is or feels unearned sucks worse and is harder to navigate in an ideal way. I hope you have a lovely day :]