In his book "A Short History of Nearly Everything," Bill Bryson discusses the fundamental processes of life and the formation of polymers from monomers. He highlights the interesting fact that when monomers are exposed to water, they typically do not transform into polymers. This observation underscores the unique conditions that were present during the origin of life on Earth, suggesting that specific environmental factors permitted this otherwise unlikely transformation to occur.

This insight raises questions about the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the dawn of life. It implies that the beginning of biological complexity was not straightforward and that the wet conditions of early Earth may have played a crucial role in fostering polymer creation, which is essential for the formation of life. Bryson's writing invites readers to ponder the remarkable journey from simple molecules to the intricate living systems we see today.