1. The Only One in Step

Comment #47435 by RandyStimpson on June 4, 2007 at 1:50 pm

Comment #40245 by Bonzai

>>A larger number of photons can be put into a larger number of states simply because there are more ways to arrange a larger number of objects. Hence more photons corresponds to higher entropy. As a result, the incoming solar radiation has less entropy than the outgoing, reflected radiation from earth. So there is a net loss of entropy from earth as a result of this process! The sun essentially acts as a dump for entropy (or, equivalently, a source of negative entropy)
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It's my understanding that S = k ln(1/p) applies to objects of matter -- not photons.

2. The Only One in Step

Comment #38387 by RandyStimpson on May 8, 2007 at 1:03 am

I think Dr. Dawkins argument relating to entropy is weak. Using a ram pump to illustrate his point is a bad idea since a ram pump is the product of an intelligent design. In my opinion, using plants and other living organisms in the argument suffers from the same flaw. I would have chosen evaporation to make a the point.

The second flaw is that the argument is restricted to thermodynamic entropy. Entropy also applies to information, and while the sun adds energy to earth it doesn't add information. DNA contains information. Is there anyone besides OUMedStudent who would dispute that?

Thirdly, Dawkins implies that the only thing the librarian contributes to the library is "energetic work". I would say that the librarian contributes intelligent work.

Lastly, to assert that "No work needs to be done to drive a library toward one of the many states that we call disordered" implies a complete lack of understanding of freshman physics. Unless of course he meant intelligent work.

http://randystimpson.blogspot.com/2007/02/entropy-versus-evolution.html
http://randystimpson.blogspot.com/2007/03/thermodynamics-and-entropy.html