[gore3000]

3. How much "data" is contained in a self-replicating compound? Is it more or less than in a sentence of Hamlet? Your Hamlet string has behind it a whole language, with idiom and abstract meaning, embeded in a complex cultural context. The compound only needs to specify how to make a copy of itself.

The reason the example was chosen is that it does give the odds of creating a new gene of smaller than average size. If the gene were to merely copy itself it would give absolutely no benefit to the individual possessing it. The reason why new genes are needed for higher species is that they need new more complex functions. These functions are proviced by genes which are not present in the simpler species such as bacteria. A duplicated gene therefore would be of no help.

[cracker]

The reason the example was chosen is that it does give the odds of creating a new gene of smaller than average size.

That's a rather bald assertion. Care to back it up?

If the gene were to merely copy itself it would give absolutely no benefit to the individual possessing it.

This is relevant to the development of the first self-replicating life how? If a self-replicating compound develops, it can create more copies of itself. Those copies may change and evolve, but they do not start over at zero as the monkey-type example would suggest. This also allows the introduction of much stronger selection pressures which accelerate the development of complexity.

The reason why new genes are needed for higher species is that they need new more complex functions. These functions are proviced by genes which are not present in the simpler species such as bacteria. A duplicated gene therefore would be of no help.

You have missed the point of the exercise.