In the context of building computers and defining computation, silicon can be considered an afterthought. We already had adding machines and the philosophy nec

In the context of building computers and defining computation, silicon can be considered an afterthought. We already had adding machines and the philosophy necessary for digital logic. It may well be the case with the original system that initiated the process we call life. RNA (and by extension DNA) may have been a complete afterthought. I'm always disappointed when I see this research outside of a systems context. Like, sure we can show these things happen, but show me a thermodynamic systems, in place,where this can happen. In you metaphor about sand and beaches, this may be like taking some one to a dune field and saying 'see all this sand. That's where computers come from'.