The most disturbing image I saw in my life

[Objectivist]

Interesting. I don't see how this would work in practice. 

Like, a newborn baby has life, but has it somehow earned its life? Or is there some kind of grace period during which a child has to behave or perform so that it earns the right to continue? (And who would judge this? And what would happen if it failed?)

Likewise, all the bugs and plants in the world certainly have life, but how can I say that "this bug has earned its life"?

Agreed. If all value has to be ‘earned’ (whatever that means), then intrinsic value doesn’t exist.

Boru

No, intrinsic value does not exist, nor does subjective value. A value is some aspect of reality judged in relation to man's life.  It requires two things:  something to value and a valuer to value it.  Once again we see the implicitness of the axioms of existence and consciousness.  What I mean is that life is given to one by nature but one must act to gain or keep it.  That's what a value is, something we act to gain or keep and life is the only thing that makes values possible and it's the only thing that makes them necessary.  If you don't act to keep it, Your life ceases. That's what I mean by saying it has to be earned.  The very fact that you exist and are conscious is what makes that action possible.