Stars follow the laws of thermodynamics. This observation is more predictive than you make it out to be, once it is quantified.
The theory of thermodynamics of life is more than just a statement that life is constrained by thermodynamics in the boring sense. I’m especially interested in this statement:
In short, ecosystems develop in ways which systematically increase their ability to degrade the incoming solar energy.
If this is true, then it can be used to predict what kinds of future life would be like. It would not be any kind of life, but life that can capture more solar energy and convert it into low-temperature heat at a faster rate.
Unfortunately my thermodynamics is not good enough to actually read the papers.
The talk of “purpose” seems to cause great confusion. I don’t mean it for any value judgment (I generally avoid value judgments and use it as a last resort). “Purpose” is just a metaphor, just like talk of the “purpose of evolution”. It helps me understand and predict.
Stars follow the laws of thermodynamics. This observation is more predictive than you make it out to be, once it is quantified.
The theory of thermodynamics of life is more than just a statement that life is constrained by thermodynamics in the boring sense. I’m especially interested in this statement:
If this is true, then it can be used to predict what kinds of future life would be like. It would not be any kind of life, but life that can capture more solar energy and convert it into low-temperature heat at a faster rate.
Unfortunately my thermodynamics is not good enough to actually read the papers.
The talk of “purpose” seems to cause great confusion. I don’t mean it for any value judgment (I generally avoid value judgments and use it as a last resort). “Purpose” is just a metaphor, just like talk of the “purpose of evolution”. It helps me understand and predict.