--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our examination of computer viruses leads…" description: "\"Our examination of computer viruses leads us to the conclusion that they are very close to what we might define as \"artificial life.\" Rather than repre..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/gene-spafford-36347_achievement_our-examination-of-computer-viruses-lead_1484695.png" --- # Our examination of computer viruses leads us to the… ![“Our examination of computer viruses leads us to the conclusion that they are very close to what we might define as "artificial life." Rather than representing a scientific achievement, this probably represents a flaw in our definition.” quote by Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/gene-spafford-36347_achievement_our-examination-of-computer-viruses-lead_1484695.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/gene-spafford-36347_achievement_our-examination-of-computer-viruses-lead_1484695.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/gene-spafford-36347_achievement_our-examination-of-computer-viruses-lead_1484695.png) > “Our examination of computer viruses leads us to the conclusion that they are very close to what we might define as "artificial life." Rather than representing a scientific achievement, this probably represents a flaw in our definition.” [Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that computer viruses resemble artificial life, suggesting our definitions of life may be flawed. **In simple terms:** Viruses act like artificial life, exposing definition flaws. Key Takeaway Reevaluate life definitions. Themes technology biology philosophy definition Mood thoughtful analytical Type scientific philosophical When to use this quote - cybersecurity research - bioinformatics - philosophical debate Key Concepts artificial life complex systems Questions to Reflect On - What criteria truly define life? - How does this view affect virus handling? A Different Perspective Equating viruses to life may oversimplify biological complexity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achievement/) [Artificial life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artificial-life/) [Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer/) [Computer viruses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer-viruses/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Flaws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flaws/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Viruses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/viruses/) ## Related quotes > [Computer viruses are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/computer-viruses-are-alive/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [We've created life in our own image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/we-ve-created-life-in-our-own-image/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [There is nothing - no program, no hobby, no vice, no crime - that does not 'create jobs'. Tsunamis, computer viruses and shooting convenience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-horner/there-is-nothing-no-program-no-hobby-no-vice-no-crime-that-does-not/) Chris Horner > [ \[Computer viruses\] switch from one country to another, from one jurisdiction to another - moving around the world, using the fact that we don't… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikko-hypponen/computer-viruses-switch-from-one-country-to-another-from-one/) [Mikko Hypponen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikko-hypponen/) > [Like computer viruses, successful mind viruses will tend to be hard for their victims to detect. If you are the victim of one, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/like-computer-viruses-successful-mind-viruses-will-tend-to-be-hard/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [I was addicted to hacking, more for the intellectual challenge, the curiosity, the seduction of adventure; not for stealing, or causing damage or writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mitnick/i-was-addicted-to-hacking-more-for-the-intellectual-challenge-the/) [Kevin Mitnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mitnick/) > [The problem of viruses is temporary and will be solved in two years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcafee/the-problem-of-viruses-is-temporary-and-will-be-solved-in-two-years/) [John McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcafee/) > [In view of all the deadly computer viruses that have been spreading lately, Weekend Update would like to remind you: when you link up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-miller/in-view-of-all-the-deadly-computer-viruses-that-have-been-spreading/) [Dennis Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-miller/) > [I think computer viruses should count as life,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/i-think-computer-viruses-should-count-as-life/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [Writing a computer virus program is child's play. Any fool can do it, which is why the silly little twerps who do have nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/writing-a-computer-virus-program-is-child-s-play-any-fool-can-do-it/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [The only truly secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete and sealed in a lead-lined room with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-spafford/the-only-truly-secure-system-is-one-that-is-powered-off-cast-in-a/) [Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) > [“Computers and mobile devices are becoming known for their inherent insecurities and the ability to damage the long term health of the users.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/computers-and-mobile-devices-are-becoming-known-for-their-inherent/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The oldest computer hardware I worked on was in professional astronomy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-oldest-computer-hardware-i-worked-on-was-in-professional-astronomy/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Life is like a computer. Once in a while you get viruses but your anti-virus gives them back double.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-like-a-computer-once-in-a-while-you-get-viruses-but-your-anti/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We worried for decades about WMDs – Weapons of Mass Destruction. Now it is time to worry about a new kind of WMDs –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mariotti/we-worried-for-decades-about-wmds-weapons-of-mass-destruction-now-it/) John Mariotti ## More by Gene Spafford > [Questioning the status quo can result in banishment, imprisonment, ridicule or being burned at the stake, depending on your era, your locale, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-spafford/questioning-the-status-quo-can-result-in-banishment-imprisonment/) [Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) > [While travelling near Tampa, Florida I passed the "Jehovah's Witness Assembly Hall" and was struck by the fact that that must be where they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-spafford/while-travelling-near-tampa-florida-i-passed-the-jehovah-s-witness/) [Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) > [Using encryption on the Internet is the equivalent of arranging an armored car to deliver credit card information from someone living in a cardboard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-spafford/using-encryption-on-the-internet-is-the-equivalent-of-arranging-an/) [Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) > [ Cryptography \[without system integrity\] is like investing in an armored car to carry money between a customer living in a cardboard box and a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-spafford/cryptography-without-system-integrity-is-like-investing-in-an-armored/) [Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) > [Secure web servers are the equivalent of heavy armoured cars. 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We need to stop doing business as usual and start focusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-spafford/but-it-doesn-t-have-to-be-this-way-we-can-do-things-better-we-need-to/) [Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) > [The only truly secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete and sealed in a lead-lined room with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-spafford/the-only-truly-secure-system-is-one-that-is-powered-off-cast-in-a/) [Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) > [Ability to type on a computer terminal is no guarantee of sanity, intelligence, or common sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-spafford/ability-to-type-on-a-computer-terminal-is-no-guarantee-of-sanity/) [Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) [Explore all 13 Gene Spafford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) ## More Achievement quotes > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [“If attempting to make the world a civilized one, makes you a bad woman in the eyes of the dumb patriarchal society, then, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/if-attempting-to-make-the-world-a-civilized-one-makes-you-a-bad-woman/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [One achieves true human dignity only when one serves. Only he is great who subjects himself to taking part in the achievement of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-antonio-primo-de-rivera/one-achieves-true-human-dignity-only-when-one-serves-only-he-is-great/) Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera > [Needs cause motivation. 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