Chapter 1: The Philosophical Question

The classic inquiry of “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” has always struck me as more of a rhetorical puzzle. Until now, it seemed to me just a philosophical musing without any real significance in my life.

For those who were drawn in by the title and are skeptical, it’s clear that the chicken is an evolution that stems from the egg. Life, as we understand it, originates from water and evolves over billions of years. I recently viewed the documentary "Genius" on Curiosity Stream, where Stephen Hawking orchestrates an experiment involving three ordinary individuals to illustrate the process of evolution.

In this experiment, two participants blindfolded create four shapes. A third person launches all eight shapes from a height towards a target. The four shapes closest to the target are then described to the blindfolded individuals. This cycle is repeated multiple times until the resulting shape resembles a rock.

The key takeaway from this experiment is the notion of blind evolution reacting to specific circumstances. Organisms adapt to survive, and while this process may seem random, it possesses an underlying logic. This paradox highlights the intricate nature of science as we, too, continue to evolve.

Calcite: A Shared Element

It’s fascinating to consider that both the chicken and the egg contain calcite, a compound also found in our bones and in coral. The story of coral is particularly intriguing and provides a deeper understanding of evolutionary processes.

Conclusion: The Building Blocks of Life

Everything in existence is composed of fundamental elements. Over time, these elements have interacted to form single-celled organisms, some of which can even survive in the vacuum of space. These organisms, through their interactions and evolution, have produced by-products like calcite, which has become integral to various structures such as coral, starfish, eggs, and bones.