Re: philosophical curiosity in a long summer afternoon

[Brian_Gaulke@hc-sc.gc.ca]

Brian Gaulke
07/27/98 03:32 PM

On 98/07/27 Scott Kniffin wrote:

"Brian, Brian, Brian,
>A.   I wasn't talking about the universe, and neither was the original
>poster.  When talking only about the earth, which is not an isolated
>system, it isn't true that entropy always increases.  We wouldn't be here
>discussing this if entropy were always increasing in any system, no matter
>how defined.
Pick up a physics text and read it again like I just did.  I defy you to
show me a true Carnot cycle.  Even if entropy is reversed localy, the
exchange comes at a price elsewhere.  Don't play the reverse of the
creationist second law explanation to me."
My response is:  What do I care about increases in entropy in the universe
as a whole?  Whatever tiny effects might result from what we do here on
earth are not going to keep me awake nights  They are certainly
inconsequential when compared with the effects of just our own sun's
ongoing fusion processes.  Besides, if entropy were not allowed to decrease
locally (at the expense of increasing entropy elsewhere), life would not
have developed here in the first place.

As for your "humor", sorry, but I didn't recognize it.

Brian Gaulke, CHP
Brian_Gaulke@hc-sc.gc.ca