This Perspective discusses the challenges of defining and measuring energy dissipation in earthquakes across various scales, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between energy dissipation near and far from the rupture tip. It highlights the limitations of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) in natural earthquakes due to the complexity of fault zones and the need for a consistent modeling framework. The paper reviews the mechanics and energy dissipation in earthquake ruptures, defines terminology, and discusses current observations and measurement techniques. It proposes a path forward, including key questions and scientific objectives for future research. Earthquakes are rupture-like processes that propagate along faults, with energy dissipation playing a critical role in determining their impact. LEFM, a theoretical framework, describes earthquake rupture as a shear crack and provides an energy balance governing rupture growth. However, its application to natural earthquakes is limited by the complexity of fault zones, which differ from laboratory setups. The paper discusses the energy dissipation mechanisms, including tip and tail processes, and their influence on earthquake mechanics. It also addresses the discrepancies between laboratory and natural earthquake measurements, the role of frictional heat, and the importance of accurate terminology. The paper emphasizes the need for further research to understand the localization of energy dissipation in natural earthquakes and to improve the predictive power of LEFM. It highlights the importance of combining field observations, laboratory experiments, and numerical simulations to develop a consistent model for earthquake physics. The paper also discusses the challenges of measuring energy dissipation in natural and laboratory earthquakes, the variability of fracture energy, and the implications of different dissipative processes on earthquake mechanics. Finally, it calls for a unified approach to address the open questions in earthquake physics and improve our understanding of earthquake energy dissipation.This Perspective discusses the challenges of defining and measuring energy dissipation in earthquakes across various scales, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between energy dissipation near and far from the rupture tip. It highlights the limitations of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) in natural earthquakes due to the complexity of fault zones and the need for a consistent modeling framework. The paper reviews the mechanics and energy dissipation in earthquake ruptures, defines terminology, and discusses current observations and measurement techniques. It proposes a path forward, including key questions and scientific objectives for future research. Earthquakes are rupture-like processes that propagate along faults, with energy dissipation playing a critical role in determining their impact. LEFM, a theoretical framework, describes earthquake rupture as a shear crack and provides an energy balance governing rupture growth. However, its application to natural earthquakes is limited by the complexity of fault zones, which differ from laboratory setups. The paper discusses the energy dissipation mechanisms, including tip and tail processes, and their influence on earthquake mechanics. It also addresses the discrepancies between laboratory and natural earthquake measurements, the role of frictional heat, and the importance of accurate terminology. The paper emphasizes the need for further research to understand the localization of energy dissipation in natural earthquakes and to improve the predictive power of LEFM. It highlights the importance of combining field observations, laboratory experiments, and numerical simulations to develop a consistent model for earthquake physics. The paper also discusses the challenges of measuring energy dissipation in natural and laboratory earthquakes, the variability of fracture energy, and the implications of different dissipative processes on earthquake mechanics. Finally, it calls for a unified approach to address the open questions in earthquake physics and improve our understanding of earthquake energy dissipation.