I was just asked this question and was shocked to realise that I didn’t know the answer. Perhaps I once did and have forgotten.

What are the most likely alternatives to carbon-based life?

Say the ten most likely.

Before you jump in with “silicon”, do you mean silicon chips (robots), or silicon crystals (crystal twinning) or silicone (large polymers)?

What about other than silicon?

Silicon as a tetravalent molecule.

OCDC said:

Silicon as a tetravalent molecule.

id est polymers

Although this is an interesting topic, you’re asking for a top ten list in a set that may have no members. Prospects for all proposed non-carbon-based life appear poor.

dv said:

Although this is an interesting topic, you’re asking for a top ten list in a set that may have no members. Prospects for all proposed non-carbon-based life appear poor.

Well, it is what it is.

roughbarked said:

dv said:

Although this is an interesting topic, you’re asking for a top ten list in a set that may have no members. Prospects for all proposed non-carbon-based life appear poor.

Well, it is what it is.

There’s a certain text.

roughbarked said:

dv said:

Although this is an interesting topic, you’re asking for a top ten list in a set that may have no members. Prospects for all proposed non-carbon-based life appear poor.

Well, it is what it is.

There’s a certain text.

dv said:

roughbarked said:

dv said:

Although this is an interesting topic, you’re asking for a top ten list in a set that may have no members. Prospects for all proposed non-carbon-based life appear poor.

Well, it is what it is.

There’s a certain text.

Yes and.

roughbarked said:

dv said:

roughbarked said:

Well, it is what it is.

There’s a certain text.

Yes and.

I had nothing further to add

dv said:

roughbarked said:

dv said:

There’s a certain text.

Yes and.

I had nothing further to add

Glad of that.