I would think any natural phenomena capable of supporting corporality ('body') and a metabolic network (energy and information) can support 'life'. (The talk of "most complex network in the universe" and "carbohydrate organisms" is latter day anthropomorphism. p.s. In fact, I'll go on a limb and assert that Plasma based life forms exist and are far more prevalent and likely more 'ancient' in evolutionary and developmental terms. ... chemical reactions ...
Carbon (organic compounds) can make more molecues than every other known combination of all other elements. Plasma, silicone, etc, are not nearly as capable of forming the complex chains needed to form coherent and self-replicating life. It is feasible to make life from other things, but not practice, as you cannot create the massive and complex chains that react in such specific ways without the very unique traits of carbon atoms.
I did read a bit, and it is apparently possible to have dust particles inside of plasma arrange in a way to be a self replicating structure. However, life is far more than simple self replication. Organic compounds are a massive number of insanely complex and hard to nail down reactions. Also, the earth isn't a ball of plasma, and computers aren't going to become those.
"Dust", "Mud", "Organic compounds", Adam .. :) I'm talking about creatures made from "Fire" :) Right, my spring and wheels based watch is "insanely complex". We've ditched the blind watch maker. I suggest you ditch sentimental attachment to the watch :) It is also not the center of the Universe. ... insanely complex ...
... the earth isn't a ball of plasma ...
spring and wheels is nothing in comparison to the things that go on inside of life. Computer components are nothing in comparison to the things that go on in life. They are good thinking machines, but not good at being life. We have nothing to fear from that which cannot exist on earth.