In the classic Star Trek episode The Devil in the Dark, first broadcast in 1967, miners on Janus VI encounter an entity that destroys mining machinery deep in the planet. It turns out that the problem is an animal - the Horta is a creature whose metabolism is based on silicon - living rock. Just more of the usual sf nonsense? Dr. Tom Gold, emeritus professor of astronomy at Cornell University, believes that organisms based on silicon may live far below the surface of the Earth. Dr. Gold, a member of the Royal Society, is known as an iconoclastic scientist. He previously predicted that vast amounts of more conventional bacteria live miles down within the Earth's crust. Mainstream scientists were skeptical, but many now agree with him. All known organisms, from bacteria to human beings, are based on carbon; it is an important component of DNA, the basis of life as we know it.

Silicon has properties that are similar to carbon; it is in the same group in the Periodic Table. However, silicon atoms are much larger and have difficulty forming double or triple covalent bonds, which are important for biochemical systems.

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When it was siad that rocks might be living in the Earth that stuck a cord in me. Im not sure why.

I once had a pet rock, but I took it for Granite

How do they propose silicon based life originated below the Earth's surface?

Only the rocks live forever. (Native American Saying)

There are still things we need to learn about our own carbon based bodies before we start looking for radically different forms of life. When mankind can safely reach another planet with a totally different environment , then we can look for Aliens.

If one bites you in the back side of your space suit , then you will KNOW its alive!

Uh. We're talking about below the Earths crust and in the mantle or even lower than that.

Oh no! That giant turd is going to kill captain kirk!

LMAO Irish!

yea ive always belived in the molten lava people.

I wonder at what point they start using the past tense.

Maybe there are some form of silicon based life forms.. Maybe there is an entire civilization down there.. Maybe they are even more technologically advanced than we are.. And maybe, just maybe they will go explore..

INVASION OF THE ROCK-PEOPLE!
"You'll never want to look at your rocks again"

I won’t lose any sleep over it though.

Diatoms : Are a group of Eukaryote Algae are unicellular.
Diatoms cells are Encased in a Unique cell wall made of CILICA.

Not really deep in the Earth. Just floating around in the oceans.

Am I on topic now?

The secret to silica-based life forms is nanotechnology -- Read up on quantum dots.

Basically the buckyfullerene is a symmetrical carbon molecule that enables macro quantum nonlinear complexity -- to make silica DNA biochips.

So we're talking about right-hand silica crystallization as life.

This is called "vital clay" by professor Graham or A.G. Cairns-Smith in Scotland.

His book "Evolving the Mind" is brilliant but it's updated and revised in Professor Johnjoe McFadden's must read "Quantum Evolution" (2003, paperback, US)

I couldn't have said it better!