"mineral evolution" & "a Soul in ev'ry stone. . . ."

[pynchonoid]

Kevin Kelly offers an interesting take on "mineral evolution" & links to
a recent paper on that topic.

"The theory of "mineral evolution" -- the idea that the Earth's rocks
are dynamic "species" which emerged over time, sometimes in concert
with living things -- is a radical new idea…"
continues: 
http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2008/12/technology_a_ge.php