To: Jonathan and the Random Pattern gang
From: Roger
Re: Complexity And Entropy (Division vs Disorder)
The second law of thermodynamics states that a closed system in equilibrium
is expected to be at maximum constant entropy or disorder. This then leads
to an issue central to the MOQ -- considering the age of the universe and the
second law, why is there so much order and pattern and complexity? How can
the MOQ suggest reality can be described via evolution and increasing
complexity without contradicting thermodynamics?
The current scientific consensus on the issue seems to concur with the MOQ;
there are entropic-resistant 'islands' within our universe. In addition,
there is a common characteristic to these exceptions, namely, division.
GRAVITY
The first and possibly most significant island in our sea of entropy is
gravity. Gravity seems to contradict the second law because of some
fine-print related to the requirement that the system in question be a closed
one. Entropy or disorder are expected to be at or near maximum in any closed
system. This maximum potential entropy increases though when two previously
separated closed systems are merged into one. There is a lot more disorder
in one container of nitrogen and oxygen than in two separate containers --
one with oxygen, the other with nitrogen. To use another analogy, there are
a lot more ways to shuffle 52 cards than two sets of 26. Combining
previously separated systems increases entropy. But the opposite is also
true -- dividing a system into parts decreases entropy. And this seems to be
the common feature of entropy-resistant patterns.
Where Gravity clumps and divides matter, it resists entropy. One impact of
gravity on the universe CAN BE to reduce disorder, not increase it. (I am not
sure if the effect is local or universal though, and I believe gravity can
actually have an impact to increase entropy if it acts to combine two
previously separated systems?)
CHEMISTRY
Ilya Prigogene points out that another well-known mechanism bringing order
out of chaos is a particular type of chemical reaction. Certain irreversible
chemical reactions can result in self-amplifying feedback that allows
structures to form that are in constant disequilibrium. These structures,
dependent on a constant input of energy, can convert energy into order. They
become the second type of island of information in our sea of entropy. Life
is the most famous example of this type of exception to the second law.
Although life is the antithesis of disorder, physicists believe the effect is
localized, and that on a broader scale entropy increases around life. In
this view, life can be seen as an entropy exportation device. Like gravity,
life acts as a divider within the system, with any order gained by the
process absorbed by the living structure.
Physicists such as Lee Smolin theorize that ecosystems, solar systems and
even galaxies are other examples of self-organized, non-equilibrium systems
that resist entropy. In this model, galaxies are huge, emergent,
self-energizing chemical systems that resist disorder. The reason is that
uniform distribution of matter and energy within a galaxy is inherently
unstable. Therefore, a galaxy is not a closed system in equilibrium. It is
a dynamic system that divides, oscillates and interacts.
MOQ Q's
Gravity and chemistry can explain the origin of the MOQ's first two levels.
These two processes share the common characteristic of resisting
disorganization via division. By dividing an otherwise closed system, they
both resist disorder. Inorganic and biological patterns emerge out of
these two localized exceptions to the second law of thermodynamics. (Pirsig
says something similar on page 165)
Can evolution also be viewed as a dividing process? First, is evolution
another process that resists entropy or disorder? If so, is the dividing
process in replication? In survival? In the complex interplay of both?
What about the other levels of the MOQ? Can society and intellect be
explained in terms of resistance to disorder? Is this what memetics would
suggest?
Could the intellect's ability to divide and segment be the property that
allows order to emerge out of the stream of experience? Does this further
support Bo's Sotaqi theory?
Any other thoughts and critiques?
Roger
PS -- When I started this post this AM, I never expected it to end where it
has. In looking back at the final product I just realized that I have
restated an argument that I never really understood in what is probably my
second favorite all-time book.."The Collapse of Chaos" by Jack Cohen and Ian
Stewart.
MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org
Mail Archive - http://alt.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/
MD Queries - horse@wasted.demon.nl
To unsubscribe from moq_discuss follow the instructions at:
http://www.moq.org/md/subscribe.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat Aug 17 2002 - 16:00:40 BST