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Because molecular oxygen is a highly reactive species, it would also rapidly deplete.

And its reactivity is what makes it so useful for powering advanced life. It's an abundant and highly energetic fuel.

The fossil fuels that gave rise to our industry and innovation are also something we lucked into. The right decomposition environment, eg. in the Carboniferous, made these massive deposits possible. This has greatly accelerated our innovation as a species.



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