What does it mean to be a human? From the first moment the baby
   suckles its thumb in the womb and creates a feedback loop that
   says in a language without words, "I am", then one is aware.
   Being here on this planet, in the form of a human being, raised
   by other humans, to be like a human is, aware and calling out to
   the world, "Notice me so that I exist, please make me feel real
   so I am sure!" conquers the uncertainty, as we cannot suckle the
   world into us as we suckled our thumb in the womb. Yet we try to
   bring as much of it in as we can, while we're here, as much as
   we need, as much as we can, and avoid the rest. What we are
   avoiding? That's what keeps us human. We are defined as much by
   what we avoid as we are by what we construct and what we accept
   and what leaves us confused and wondering. -Kenneth Udut
   1/20/2015 PS

     * Is a person who is brain dead still human?
       Interesting question. It is similar to "are you human when
       you are asleep and not dreaming?"
       I may have to revise my definition of human. I included
       awareness, but that doesn't take into account the
       unconscious human that is not in a dream state.