Date: Wed, 01 May 1996 08:56:06 -0600
Subject:  Re: entropy and evolution -Reply


>>> Adam Rose <adam-AT-pmel.com>  5/1/96, 03:28am >>>
Concretely, the internal combustion engine obeys the laws of physics
and chemistry. But the laws of physics and chemistry don't explain
traffic jams.
Lisa:  Hey, I already "explained" traffic jams.

Adam:  For instance, our brains consume too much energy for our
relatively small guts to keep going without the aid of cooking. We
can use energy calculations to make direct connections between brain
size and the level of culture.
Lisa:  Haven't we been here before?  But I didn't realize how much we
disagree.

Adam:  I think the law of entropy itself is a good example. It is a
law which talks about order and predictability of large numbers of
small things which themselves move in a random and unpredicable
pattern.
Quantity becomes quality, and the randomness is negated.
Lisa:  What?  Randomness in large quantities negates itself, just
like that?  I don't think so.  The whole point about a lifeform being
an open system is that it _takes in energy_ and it is this energy
flow that is used to _create order_, under specific circumstances.  

LR: Do you> think that Rahul and I are wrong, and that evolution
_does_ "violate> the law of entropy" ? 
Adam:  Yes, I think I do.  There is a tendency to organisation and
complexity.

Lisa:  Holy mackerel!  I find this highly inaccurate.  But I think
you've heard me go on about it before, so I'll not repeat myself.



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