<< Background: In essence, metabolism is nothing more than utilizing
the free energy of meta-stable chemical systems to do useful work
such as replicating >>


Let me answer this point\
before we go further.

Why would any inert chemicals turn to work or replicating?

This suggests to me some
Darwinian wish fulfillment.
Some thinking or logic like this:

1. We have to get to self replication to have Darwinian selection
2. But unfortunately for step one, there is no reason or scenario for any
chemical to
go from nothing to metabolism or replication.
c. thus to dig up a reason to fulfill step one we use unreasonable excuses such
as
a. it was  a fluke (or many)event
b. after it happened, it was safe from any adaptive pressure until it evolved
to being safe from adaptive pressure (a catch 22 - suggesting a grace period
granted by the environment where that environment refuses to destroy any
chemicals until they evolve to where they need to go)
c. we had a billion years.
d. it only had to happen once.
Etc. - what these are, are excuses to get to step one - but none make a bit of
sense. 
And until you can give me any reason why chemicals of any kind should go from
inert to metabolism or replication - I won't except your premise.
Tom
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