I agree with im_an_optimist, Great synopsis on that article!
Before reading this, I often thought about the leap from inanimate (a rock) to a unicellular life form. It seemed to be a much greater leap than the one from single-celled life to human. The single-cell can split or become more complex and multi-celled because it is dynamic. But to get to ONE living cell from dust seemed incomprehensible. The leap seemed so great that when I would meet someone who seemed extremely unself-reflecting, I'd say (unkindly) that (metaphorically) the person had not got to one yet.
Now it seems that through a naturally occurring physicochemical process, matter can go from a rock to a cell. Awesome.
By the way, Cadell, I also very much liked your explanations of why we have not found life (yet) on other planets.