True, but it does something else - I can't remember - perhaps it blocks asteroids or affects the magnetic fields which protect us from radiation. Its something like that.
The variations of tides would be very important. If tides alone were significant, then Venus would have done better. Complex variation of the environment would force complex adaptation, which would imply complex varities of lifeforms. Alternatively, this could be viewed as an additional source of subtle energy requiring subtle responses. Venus would lack the subtle energy source.
see post #70