Biological complexity: understanding the ribosome (Introduction)

by David Turell , Tuesday, July 25, 2017, 16:16 (2678 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: Since organisms are dissimilar, it is obvious that the zillions are also dissimilar, but if we are talking about the origin of life, we must start with the hypothethical, rudimentary consciousnesses of blobs of inorganic matter which amalgamate and with time and experience increase their degree of consciousness and their range of dissimilarity until they come up with the living cell. No, I don’t believe it. I offer it as an alternative to the other two equally unbelievable hypotheses.

Answered below

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TONY: DHW: Where is the cut off point for this intelligence? Is it cellular? Molecular? Atomic? Where is the demarcation for you to say 'There is no intelligence beyond this point"? I only ask because that is where the discussion needs to start really, not at some nebulous, ill defined point in the transition between chemical soup and single cell. Further, this study would seem on the surface to demolish that concept because getting 50+ atypical proteins and a few RNA together at the same time in the same place to form a Ribosome which is incredibly complex and needed in turn to make the infinitely more complex cell requires a great deal more planning and work then I am prepared to accept as coming from inorganic matter.

dhw: I agree with all your objections. As above, in my response to David, the panpsychist process would have to start at a rudimentary atomic level, and in the course of billions of years build up to the point at which it forms the single cell.

You have forgotten the history of life on Earth. Current theory: Earth forms about 4.5 billion years ago; becomes cool enough and calm enough about 4.0 billion years ago to begin to allow for life; first life at 3.8 billion years ago. Result: it took just 200 million years to create life, not billions of years. Surely that suggests agency.