Venting All Life Feeds on Other Life: The Parasitic Nature of Existence

[Darkover]

All Life Feeds on Other Life: The Parasitic Nature of Existence

Introduction

Life, at its core, is sustained through consumption. No living organism can exist without taking from something else, whether directly or indirectly. From the smallest microorganisms to the most complex civilizations, all life is part of a vast system of extraction, competition, and survival. This reality exposes the parasitic nature of life itself—an existence built upon exploitation and consumption. While some may view this as a natural cycle, a closer examination reveals a disturbing pattern: life does not merely sustain itself; it feeds upon itself in an unending cycle of predation and depletion.

The Inescapable Cycle of Consumption

Every organism, regardless of its complexity, must take from its environment to sustain itself. Even the most passive life forms contribute to the process of consumption, making true non-exploitative existence impossible.

Plants: The Illusion of Non-Violent Life

At first glance, plants may seem like an exception to this rule, as they do not actively consume other organisms in the way animals do. However, plants still depend on the decay of organic material in the soil, which is often derived from dead organisms. Additionally, some plants, such as the Venus flytrap or pitcher plant, have evolved to directly consume insects and other small creatures to supplement their survival. Even towering trees outcompete smaller plants for sunlight, effectively starving them.

Herbivores: Feeding on the Living

Many believe that herbivores exist in contrast to carnivores, as they do not hunt or kill other animals. However, herbivory is still a form of consumption that relies on the destruction of living organisms—plants. Some herbivores, such as cows, inadvertently consume small insects or microbes while grazing. Furthermore, plant life itself is not static; it responds to predation by developing toxins, thorns, or other defensive mechanisms, indicating that even plants experience a form of struggle against consumption.

Carnivores: The Clearest Example of Predation

Carnivorous animals epitomize the direct predatory nature of life. They must kill to sustain themselves, often causing immense suffering to their prey. Nature's efficiency in predation—lions hunting gazelles, wolves tracking down deer, or birds snatching fish—illustrates that existence is built on destruction. Even scavengers, which rely on the remains of dead animals, depend on the constant cycle of death to survive.

Microorganisms: The Hidden Predators

The unseen world of bacteria, fungi, and viruses reveals another layer of life's parasitic nature. Decomposers break down dead matter, extracting nutrients for survival. Some bacteria and viruses attack living hosts, hijacking their biological systems for reproduction, often leading to illness or death. Life, even at the microscopic level, is a battle of consumption and survival.

Humans: The Apex Consumers

Human beings are the ultimate manifestation of life's parasitic tendencies. Unlike other species, humans have industrialized consumption, creating systems that extract resources at an unprecedented rate. Agriculture, deforestation, fishing, and industrial farming showcase how human survival is dependent on large-scale extraction. Even those who seek to minimize harm—such as vegans—still contribute to the consumption of plant life and indirectly impact ecosystems through resource use.

Furthermore, human societies themselves operate parasitically. Economic structures depend on the labor and exploitation of others. Governments, corporations, and social hierarchies function by extracting value from the efforts of individuals, much like a parasite drains its host. Even interpersonal relationships can exhibit parasitic qualities, as people often use others for emotional, financial, or social gain.

The Ultimate Fate: All Life Becomes Food

Regardless of how an organism lives, it inevitably becomes part of the consumption cycle upon death. Bodies decompose, feeding scavengers, fungi, and bacteria, ensuring that even in death, life continues to extract from itself. This endless recycling of matter highlights the inescapable nature of consumption—no living thing escapes becoming a source of sustenance for something else.

Conclusion

Life, by its very nature, is parasitic. Whether through direct predation, environmental depletion, or systemic exploitation, survival is dependent on the consumption of others. This reality makes existence a self-consuming cycle where everything feeds upon everything else. While some may argue that this is simply the natural order, it is difficult to ignore the inherent predatory structure of life. From the tiniest bacteria to the most complex civilizations, all life is locked in an eternal struggle of feeding and being fed upon, making existence itself an act of perpetual parasitism.

 

[DivineSpark]

I try to practice ahimsa in my life as much as possible. It is philosophy of non violence.

 

[Darkover]

I try to practice ahimsa in my life as much as possible. It is philosophy of non violence.

Ahimsa is a concept from Indian religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism that means non-violence or not causing harm to any living being. It's more than just avoiding physical violence—it includes not harming others through words, thoughts, or actions.

Jainism takes it to the extreme, with monks even sweeping the ground to avoid stepping on insects. In Hinduism and Buddhism, it's tied to karma and ethical living, influencing vegetarianism and peaceful practices.

It's basically the idea that causing harm, even unintentionally, creates suffering and negative consequences, so it's better to live in a way that minimizes harm to others.