[civilian]

I'm quoting the author of the book that this thread is discussing, this isn't a random cherry-pick. :)

Craig Venter wasn't sailing around the world 3 billion years ago.

//edit

okay, so, I was trying to explain what the state-of-the-research was, and what this book says. I used to think that the RNA-world hypothesis was also the most likely! You have a good understanding of biology, and you're smart enough to make decent arguments, but you just aren't up to date.

I don't think anything I say will persuade you. You should go read The Vital Question and publish in a journal when you prove Nick Lane wrong.