Re: Bicyclist decapitated

On 4/28/2024 11:40 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

 I beg to partially differ.  If we assume that all the known elements
are present in roughly the same distributions throughout the universe,
there's a good chance that self-replicating life processes will be
built using the same elements as on planet Earth.  "Carbon atoms are
unique because they can bond together to form very long, durable
chains that can have branches or rings of various sizes and often
contain thousands of carbon atoms."
<https://www.nature.com/articles/139290a0.pdf>
The emergence of life is possible with comparatively inferior elements
but the main building block will mostly likely be a stable atom that
will build the strongest and move versatile bonds to other atoms.

Agreed. I confess to low talent for chemistry. But I've not yet heard of a detailed proposal for a chemistry of life built on anything but carbon.
If someone here has such a proposal, I'd happily run it by the chemists in our family.
--
- Frank Krygowski