How does carbon's electron configuration explain it's ability to form large,complex, diverse?

You do have a printed periodic table, right? You can get the information at www.chemicalelements.com/index.html but you really need your own printed copy to carry with you. It will be a primary reference for everything you do.

There is a diagonal line, B-C, Si-P, Ge-As, Sb-Te, and Po-At. Elements to the left of the line are metals, meaning they lose an electron easily, elements to the right of the line are non-metals, and elements on the line are semiconductors.

Carbon has four valence electrons, and silicon has four valence electrons, so they form many similar compounds. But carbon's electrons are in a lower shell, so the bonds are stronger. Carbon has bond strength to hold large molecules together, and silicon does not.

People who say another form of life based on silicon is possible also forget that carbon dioxide is a gas, but silicon dioxide is a solid.