Abiogenesis in the proximity of hydrothermal vents?

[Duty]

Perhaps partly because of the rep feature. Perhaps not. Thanks for the info. 

So you mean you will hold on to your pet conjecture despite their being no evidence for it at all. 

Er, not sure how you deduced that: I said it may or may not have been a factor and that I am very far from certain it was. You clearly have earnt your rep, every scintilla of it, making razor sharp insights of that caliber.

---

I'm just not a big fan of having a sign above my name which says "6 times less popular than XY and Z" - and perish the thought I might actually begin attempting to "improve my popularity" through some dreadfully uncouth and distasteful self-conscious pandering/felating/compromising/watering down etc ad inf.

Here's how to fix it.

1.  Click on your profile.

2.  Click 'Details' next to your rep number. This will open the list telling who repped you and when.

3.  PM the people who repped you and ask them to remove the rep.

I've already deleted the point I gave you, so you needn't worry that you're pandering.

Boru

Not a bad idea Boru, but it sounds a little "toys out of the pram" for my liking ATM.