Energy is life. Every substance in the world (and probably the universe) has a unique energy of its own. Animal, vegetable, or mineral — all consist of interchangeable, interdependent elements. Animals get their nourishment from other animals, plants, and the earth (minerals). Plants get their nourishment from animals, other plants, and the earth. As the life cycle goes on, the earth replenishes itself through life forms that die and provide the substance for new life to form and sprout.
While we human animals understand our human capacity for emotions, we also are beginning to realize that other animals have similar capacity. But what about plants and rocks? How can we assume that they do not have feelings? People talk to plants to encourage them to thrive….and it seems to work. And stromatolite, (of which I have a rock on my nightstand) is reportedly the first life form on our planet (found in coral reefs off the coast of Australia).
So…as we worry about being, say, vegetarian, how can be sure that the crunch we hear when biting into a celery stick is not actually a scream?