OXIDATION:

> The combination of a substance with oxygen.
> A reaction in which the atoms in an element lose electrons and the valence of the element is correspondingly increased.

This question continues to resurface as of late......is life on Earth a chemical process related to other chemical processes like oxidation?

Think of it a minute. A piece of metal will slowly change form when exposed to oxygen.
The Earth is being transformed by a process called life. Exposed elements changing form.
Are cars and skyscrapers and freeways and cyanobacteria and DNA and human bodies & minds.....are all these an "oxidation" of Earth? Is consciousness really needed in this process?

Not an especially romantic view that might cozy up beside the many other idealized theories. Take away the inventions of humans...like virtue, purpose, and death....and the idea appears plausible. Especially at the micro or macro level. After all, the magical formula of life...DNA...is merely bonded elements transformed by conditions abiogenesis . No small feat, but yet in the realm of chemistry.

Why there is only one template for life(DNA) is another question in my mind.
While reading some material I learned for the first time that some scientists believe other templates of "life" may have had genesis, but then were exterminated by competing chemical processes which led to all life as we know it. Even with all Earth's diversity it is yet, it seems, a very exclusive club.

Abiogenesis.....is this what the Buddha sees....this simplicity? And all that ghastly suffering surrounding Buddha....is that just "oxidation" as well?

Imagine great forests and cities and civilizations as a sort of residue build-up as atmosphere and energy begin dissolving and transforming Earth, like the rust on my car fender.

Humans take themselves waaaaay too seriously.