Prion "replication" seems rather different from self-replicating RNA.
replyIsn't the building block that a prion requires to create a copy of itself essentially a chemically almost-identical protein that is just folded differently?
How about an alternative analogy of the prion folding pattern spreading through chemically-similar molecules like a meme through a population of similarly conditioned brains?
Yes, I agree and that is why I mentioned that there are limitations. It really depends how one interprets "replication" and that the ingredients needed to self-propagate are to be considered valid building blocks for the beginning of life or not. As far as I know, RNA would use nucleotides and prions similar already existing complex proteins. It seems that the RNA hypothesis is more plausible. However, I just found out that there's some that actually believe that life started with prions and not RNA since proteins are more stable. Although
replyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0K-pMPFzGY
I like your analogy memes and prions need an already existing condition and then twist them into something else. If we are allowed to enter the philosophical domain, it's like the devil's work twisting the mind of the righteous or the Sith turning the force-sensitive beings :-)
Sorry, I went off the rails.