But it doesn't even know that it's waiting!!!!! Isn't that a part of your argument? That being aware that you're waiting for something is what keeps you hanging on to something [life] that would otherwise feel pointless to you? It still seems like your argument applies only to creatures which have 'consciousness', in the philosophical-psychological meaning of that word. (For example, 'consciousness' is what separates humans from computers, and what artificial intelligence students concern themselves with.) Likewise, humans have 'consciousness' whereas single-celled organisms do not, they are more akin to a computer. We would never say that a computer is capable of "waiting," so neither is the microbe capable, if you ask me. Anyway, I think I disagree with your argument, but this discussion could go on and on for eternity...!