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Ultimately this question is the question of why the universe isn't completely isotropic in all directions with a completely uniform distribution of matter and e

by causi 4y ago

Ultimately this question is the question of why the universe isn't completely isotropic in all directions with a completely uniform distribution of matter and energy. To the best of our knowledge this is due to quantum effects at the beginning of time creating a temporary asymmetry whose resulting "sloshing" created everything more complicated than evenly-distributed hydrogen gas. Life on earth is the tiniest swirl of complexity in the vast waterfall of "wasted" entropy that is the sun burning out.

evv555 4y ago
>Ultimately this question is the question of why the universe isn't completely isotropic in all directions with a completely uniform distribution of matter and energy. I don't think it's a self-evident given that going against the grain of increasing entropy leads to complexity. The obvious but naieve opposite of increasing entropy is going towards something like relatively simple crystal structures.
baremetal 4y ago
That is rather hand wavy and doesn't explain where the complexity in DNA comes from, you just swept that problem under the rug with a blanket explanation that lacks explanatory power.
- anonymouskimmer 4y ago
  DNA is actually rather simple. It basically consists of about the fewest number of bases possible for encoding information (four), even though more bases are possible (and have been stably engineered into organisms). Even so, while these bases pair off well, there is some cross-talk possible (G-quadruplexes, G:T base-pairing).
- causi 4y ago
  "Complexity" is not a magic force that must be conserved. In any system that has both an energy gradient and a path for that energy to travel that is not isotropic, complexity will emerge as entropy increases. That holds whether the system in question is a pool of water with a bumpy downhill slope or an entire ecosystem. https://theconversation.com/emergence-the-remarkable-simplicity-of-complexity-30973 https://theconversation.com/emergence-the-remarkable-simplic...

by causi 4y ago

evv555 4y ago

>Ultimately this question is the question of why the universe isn't completely isotropic in all directions with a completely uniform distribution of matter and energy. I don't think it's a self-evident given that going against the grain of increasing entropy leads to complexity. The obvious but naieve opposite of increasing entropy is going towards something like relatively simple crystal structures.

baremetal 4y ago

That is rather hand wavy and doesn't explain where the complexity in DNA comes from, you just swept that problem under the rug with a blanket explanation that lacks explanatory power.

anonymouskimmer 4y ago
DNA is actually rather simple. It basically consists of about the fewest number of bases possible for encoding information (four), even though more bases are possible (and have been stably engineered into organisms). Even so, while these bases pair off well, there is some cross-talk possible (G-quadruplexes, G:T base-pairing).
causi 4y ago
"Complexity" is not a magic force that must be conserved. In any system that has both an energy gradient and a path for that energy to travel that is not isotropic, complexity will emerge as entropy increases. That holds whether the system in question is a pool of water with a bumpy downhill slope or an entire ecosystem. https://theconversation.com/emergence-the-remarkable-simplicity-of-complexity-30973 https://theconversation.com/emergence-the-remarkable-simplic...