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Besides the Thermodynamic Arrow of Time, there is also the Adaptive Arrow of Time, which is effectively its reverse. The theory of Natural Selection is an exam
by ksaj 6y ago
Besides the Thermodynamic Arrow of Time, there is also the Adaptive Arrow of Time, which is effectively its reverse.
The theory of Natural Selection is an example of the Adaptive Arrow of Time, since over time, variability in a population is minimized instead of maximized, as the law of Thermodynamics would have it. That is to say, in living things, randomness decreases disorder, at least for the time that a thing is living or exhibiting life-like behaviours. Conway's Game of Life is so named because of it.
Thermodynamics favours, among a set of probabilities, the most probable state. Natural Selection, on the other hand, favours the improbable state. A purely thermodynamic arrow of time would disallow increasing stability in populations, and the entire concept of species.
There are other "arrows of time," but I don't know enough about them to compare. My point is merely that thermodynamics explains only one of them. It is a fascinating topic, and they are all probably related in some magical way we are yet to understand.
- galaxyLogic 6y agoIt is fascinating. Are there any theories about why and how evolution is able to work in the other direction than "time" in general?
- ksaj 6y agoHere are two videos that explain it better than I ever could here: https://www.complexityexplorer.org/courses/103-origins-of-life/segments/9707 https://www.complexityexplorer.org/courses/103-origins-of-li... https://www.complexityexplorer.org/courses/103-origins-of-life/segments/9708 https://www.complexityexplorer.org/courses/103-origins-of-li... Click on the Lectures tab if you are interested in Origins of Life. I took the course, and fully recommend it. But only these two videos are specific to the topic at hand. Some of the other materials overlap a little with quantum subjects, but it's not really what the course is specifically about. If you're interested in all the stuff you're hearing about COVID-19 with all the vaccine trials etc, and what all this "spike" business is, you'll actually understand it in depth if after going through the course in its entirety. And you'll appreciate on a technical level why they keep hammering you to wash your hands with soap. And as a side effect, you'll at least partially understand how certain quantum calculations work. If I sound like a fanboi, it's because I enjoyed the course greatly. Despite it being so thorough, it is free. I donated, 'cos the world definitely needs more courses like this.