2B. Which life:

By the systemic definition of life, one organism is alive in more than one way. For example, a tree is alive in its own right, but can also be part of a larger living organism, a forest. The same goes for microorganisms in our bodies and cells grouped in various arrangements to form tissues within organisms. A discussion of what is living depends on perspective. Let us apply the idea of systems within systems to human beings. Not only is the human body alive, but so too is the system to which most human bodies belong: cities, urban sprawls.

I pose that cities are living organisms subject to biological examination and a myriad of cross disciplinary applications. Some scientists raise objections to the vocabulary I am using and interpret my argument as rhetorical; “the word ‘organism’ carries too much baggage. A city should be called a living system.” I understand where this objection comes from and would like to avoid arguments with those who adhere to “baggage,” but accuracy cannot be forsaken for tranquility. Both terms “living system” and “organism” are accurate.