[tlb]

So the new theory is the soup kettle is heated and stirred by deep underwater underwater vents. Ok, fine.

If the new line of reasoning is correct the evolutionary principle seems to remain intact, but cooked in a different kitchen. And if not correct, we are back where we started. What fundamentally has changed by this suggested fine-tuning of evolutionary theory ?

[TheBattman]

The problem with fine-tuning anything... if you are fine tuning the completely wrong station, you will never get what you are looking for.

[r9etb]

What fundamentally has changed by this suggested fine-tuning of evolutionary theory ?

The energy source and component chemicals, to name a couple. I expect that the underlying processes would have to be different as a result.

More to the point, though.... this new theory may actually be testable at some level, as both the vents and the component chemicals are still in existence.

[Sopater]

If the new line of reasoning is correct the evolutionary principle seems to remain intact, but cooked in a different kitchen. And if not correct, we are back where we started.

Yes.

What fundamentally has changed by this suggested fine-tuning of evolutionary theory?

Fundamentally, it shows that it is not even known that there is a "kitchen".