> Entropy increases monotonically from left to right, but intuitively, the “complexity” seems highest in the middle picture: the one with all the tendrils of mi

> Entropy increases monotonically from left to right, but intuitively, the “complexity” seems highest in the middle picture: the one with all the tendrils of milk. Complexity only increases from the perspective of the observer. If you shift the frame of reference to individual particles, you have more local complexity throughout the system when the cream is completely mixed into the coffee (the third stage); even if there are less interesting aspects to the overall system from the perspective of the outside observer. This indicates that complexity is not the term we are looking for to describe the law/phenomenon, as complexity is a factor of reference. > But today, in between, the universe contains interesting structures such as galaxies and brains and hot-dog-shaped novelty vehicles. I find Sophistication, "interesting", occurrence of novelty, or distinct structures to be a more accurate way to describe the three glasses of coffee & cream. Novelty is also a factor in intelligence, as is coherence.