3 ms·
My favorite take on life an entropy is that life is the most efficient way to burn energy, to increase entropy. Life is inevitable in the universe simply as a m
by burnte 7y ago
My favorite take on life an entropy is that life is the most efficient way to burn energy, to increase entropy. Life is inevitable in the universe simply as a method of increasing overall entropy efficiently. A bunch of chemicals may eventually decompose into photons and electrons, but it's a lot faster if something eats them.
- willis936 7y agoEntropy increase is a stochastic process though. The rules of nature do not result in a system that maximizes entropy at the maximum possible rate.
- burnte 7y agoEntropy increase need not be chaotic. Stars generate entropy at a very reliable rate. We also do not know what a maximum rate, and I didn't state life was anything like a maximum rate, just faster than non-life in some circumstances.
- willis936 7y agoBut we don't know, or even think, that the rules of nature prefer a rate of entropy increase. We just know that it does increase, on average, in closed systems. If life as we know it creates entropy at a high rate compared to other natural processes, that is not a reason for life to be compulsory, or even preferred, by nature.
- viklove 7y agoThis take seems similar to inferring intentionality from evolution.
- burnte 7y agoI would say inevitability rather than intention.