I agree, I've never found the entropy explanation compelling even if it is ultimately mathematically sensible - but that applies to a lot of quantum physics, an

I agree, I've never found the entropy explanation compelling even if it is ultimately mathematically sensible - but that applies to a lot of quantum physics, and the universe certainly isn't beholden to my whims. Entropy "feels" more like an emergent property of any system of probability then a fundamental force - i.e. build a rule set, and anywhere you have state transitions you'll have entropy emerge as a term you can calculate and measure. The thing is the other candidates are kind of equally mysterious. For example if you go with the idea that all matter is 4D vectors with a magnitude of C in spacetime, it's not really clear why we can affect our motion through the "time" vector (by acquiring physical velocity in other directions) but not completely invert it, or why there should be a speed limit at all.