Most solar energy dissipates in space but a very small proportion of it increases order on Earth. However, Terrestrial negative entropy is local and temporary and is sustained only by the constant increase of cosmic entropy. When a river powers a mill, the water continues to flow down to the sea. All energy dissipates even if a small proportion of it does useful work en route. Life and consciousness are not a cosmic purpose but an accidental by-product that swims against the stream for a while.
How did energy become concentrated?
Can this happen again?
Did the idea of a cyclical universe, when it was entertained, contradict the second law of thermodynamics?
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And, of course, we see more extended discussions of science by Poul Anderson in IS THERE LIFE ON OTHER WORLDS" and THERMONUCLEAR WARFARE, two of his too few nonfictional books.
I'm no longer a fan of most of Isaac Asimov's fictions, but he also wrote a LOT of non fictional popular science. Readers could read with profit his THE UNIVERSE: FROM FLAT EARTH TO QUASAR (astronomy), ASIMOV ON PHYICS, THE HUMAN BODY (for human biology), etc. To say nothing of good popular science by other authors.
Sean
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