The rna world hypothesis is based on the experimental finding that rna can self-catalyze. this means that rna can do what?

Speed up reactions between itself and another molecule.  

emerging idea only occurs as a raw idea that could appear out of nowhere. meanwhile, to reach scientific consensus , that idea must be structured and tested over and over again through various experiments. the scientific consensus transforms the raw idea into idea that is more reliable through the process of scientific elimination.