> I think my main problem was with the whole idea of gluons acting on protons and neutrons
> but not electrons, and photons (EM) acting on protons and electrons but not neutrons.

Well EM forces act on charges but the strong nuclear forces behave more like gravity keeping all things together into form...

To me what is much more ellusive and disturbing is the weak nuclear force since it is clearly is a symbol of decay...

> So it seems there could not be a primordial-type of atom - Hydrogen must be the start
> element. I still feel there's something I'm missing.

Well, what you are still clearly missing is the neutron or the neutral core of things and how it is formed and how it can also exist at the core of things...That is probably where helium...

Ultimately everything has to do with action-reaction since this is how all reality is programmed, so a neutral element will not "react" as much as some other that is more active, but it still play a key role in the make-up of things...

+-wirelessguru1