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Chapter 1: The Hidden World of Viruses
Viruses are often perceived solely as harmful entities, much like an ant that only recognizes a foot when it threatens it. However, this view is overly simplistic. In fact, your body is currently host to approximately 380 trillion viruses, most of which coexist peacefully with you. Humanity collectively harbors more viruses than the total number of stars in the observable universe. Including the quirks of my son, who has a fondness for licking surfaces, we might as well refer to it as a multiverse.
Viruses are the planet's oldest biological entities, existing in harmony with other life forms. The imbalance is primarily caused by human actions, disrupting this delicate equilibrium.
At present, the viral activity within your body goes unnoticed because it is effectively balanced by around 38 trillion bacteria. Each year, you expel an amount of bacteria equivalent to your body weight, and viruses play a critical role in maintaining this balance. Remove both viruses and bacteria, and you eliminate life itself. In a sense, humans can be seen as temporary vessels for these higher beings.
We often perceive viruses as invaders, yet it is we who encroach upon their domains. By exploiting animals and destroying habitats, we create conditions that necessitate viral interventions. This perspective of viewing viruses as mere threats overlooks the broader ecosystem, which is a misjudgment of both them and ourselves.
Section 1.1: God as the Programmer
To grasp the nature of viruses, we must step down from our self-important pedestal—the belief that we are created in the divine image—and instead reflect on the actual creation.
If we imagine God as a programmer, the code would consist of 90% viruses, 10% bacteria, with humans being just a minor component, akin to a virtual server that has been largely forgotten. We might hold the title of human_final_final_final.exe, tucked away in a subfolder destined for deletion every 100 million years.
In this sense, humans serve more as a backup for viral code than as creators of anything novel. A significant portion—8%—of our genome is of viral origin, while less than 2% pertains to vertebrates. The fraction unique to humans is even smaller.
While we often consider ourselves the apex of evolution, that notion is humorous. In comparison to viruses, we are like mere mortals. Once we cease our futile attempts to eradicate them, we can begin to comprehend their significance.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Nature of Viruses
The primary challenge with viruses is their invisibility; we typically only acknowledge them when they cause illness. To truly understand them, one must engage the imagination.
Picture trillions of viruses crawling on your outstretched hands. Now, look skyward—each day, around 800 million viruses descend from the atmosphere across every square meter of the planet. Open your eyes to a world teeming with this intricate code.
If it helps, think of the Matrix.
In the Matrix, the code represents the underlying structure of reality. Similarly, viruses are essentially strands of code—RNA or DNA—encased in a fragile shell easily destroyed by soap. This code cannot replicate independently, which is why it is categorized as non-living, but it certainly possesses a form of life. I prefer to refer to them as living entities out of respect.
This respect stems from recognizing that we are observing the source code of life—an ancient, omnipresent code that literally contributed to your existence. Thus, rather than fear, our reaction to viruses should be one of awe.
Section 1.2: The Ubiquity of Viruses
Viruses are omnipresent. Estimates suggest there are about 10³¹ viruses on Earth, dwarfing the approximately 10²³ stars in the universe—this is a staggering difference, with viruses being 100 million times more numerous. If we could stretch these viruses end to end, they would reach across the Virgo Supercluster, which contains over 100 galaxies—a concept difficult to fathom.
This is why I liken them to gods. The microcosm reflects the enormity of the cosmos.
Viruses are present within our DNA. Remarkably, around 8% of your genetic makeup is derived from viral sources. This isn't merely dormant code; it actively contributed to your development. For instance, a virus played a crucial role in the formation of the placenta.
Syncytiotrophoblasts in the placenta are specialized tissues that facilitate nutrient exchange between mother and embryo while suppressing the maternal immune response to prevent rejection of the fetus. These genes, which drive the formation of placental cells, originated from a virus approximately 45 million years ago. Such poetic interdependence highlights how viruses have shaped our biology.
This viral code-sharing is a common phenomenon in nature. While we often visualize evolution as a tree, this perspective is misleading. Evolution continued for billions of years prior to sexual reproduction and still advances through horizontal gene transfer. Viruses serve as a command line, connecting diverse species.
Chapter 2: The Immortality of Viruses
Viruses are, in essence, immortal. They have existed since the inception of life, likely even before it. Every form of life possesses its own viruses, indicating that our last universal common ancestor likely had them as well. It appears that God was experimenting with this free-floating code before developing bacterial and animal forms.
Viruses represent the foundational code of life. They were integral to your development and rain down upon us, yet we typically only recognize them when they cause illness. This awareness should mark the beginning of our understanding, not its conclusion.
The first video, "Viruses and Bats: A Dangerous Liaison?" delves into the intricate relationship between these organisms and the implications of their interactions. Understanding this connection is crucial for grasping the broader role viruses play in our world.
Section 2.1: The Cycle of Life
The harm caused by viruses is not inherently due to their nature but rather stems from our disruption of the balance they maintain within the ecosystem.
If humanity lived in harmony with the Earth, viruses would also find equilibrium with us, as they have with all living beings for eons. Our actions, such as rampant deforestation and the exploitation of wildlife, have disturbed this balance. When we face viral outbreaks, we must recognize that it is our actions that have provoked these microscopic responses.
We are the primary drivers of viral diseases, not the viruses themselves. As previously stated, viruses are largely benign and can even be beneficial. The emergence of infections like coronavirus is a consequence of human behavior, and eliminating viruses will not resolve the underlying issues.
Finding a resolution requires addressing the root causes and restoring balance. To achieve this, we must approach with respect. Viruses have existed longer and possess wisdom beyond our understanding; they communicate with us in the universal language of life and death.
We should humble ourselves and listen.
The second video, "Autism Misunderstood: The Viral Spread of Misinformation on Social Media," highlights the impact of misinformation and the importance of understanding both science and human experience in discussions about health and disease.
