what idea: the superconducting thing, or the more general carbon-based life on a gas giant thing?@Torco: I love this idea you're working with, do not get me wrong, I just don't see it being possible without unobtanium or magic.
I understand, but the question is twofold:
one, why would something evolve into the form of coral ? and two, why would such structures grow into a relevant size? winds and the like would likely break them up, which would end up being good for them.
Plus, air tends to have little calcium: my own continent rays, the only landmass-like-thingie in the planet, operates on a similar principle, though: bubbles of hydrogen bound by tissue, and bam they float.
hydrogen, then, ill try to remember