M. Dilger on Nostr: I think the 2nd law of thermodynamics and the idea of entropy is one of the most ...

I think the 2nd law of thermodynamics and the idea of entropy is one of the most confused and misunderstood ideas in physics, and the fact that we have accepted this handwaving argument for so long is shameful.

And I'm a credentialed computer scientist. Entropy has an informational meaning. I'm well aware of Claude Shannon's work. But let's go back to physics for a second.

Entropy is a measure of disorder. But what is disorder? What is order? There is no such thing. It is a personal preference. I like my pot on top of my stove, but my girlfriend likes it in the cupboard. Who is right? Which state is more disordered? There is no objective answer.

If there is no objective definition of which states are ordered and which are not ordered, then there is no true entropy.

All we actually have is the law of large numbers. If you choose to concieve of a small set of states among the nearly infinite possible states, then the odds that something will move from one of those infinite states into your small set is astronomically low, compared to things moving in the other direction. But as the lord Buddha says, empty your mind. Dont concieve of a small set of states. Where did the entropy go? You created it! The entropy was all in your head.