Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 67 | Kate Jeffery on Entropy, Complexity, and Evolution
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Oct 7, 2019 In this installment, behavioral neuroscientist Kate Jeffery from UCL shares her insights on the fascinating interplay between entropy, complexity, and evolution. She explores how complexity arises amidst increasing disorder in the universe and the brain's role in navigating this landscape. The discussion touches on catastrophic extinction events, the unique properties of carbon for life, and the potential for different life forms in the cosmos. With thoughts on human influence over evolution and climate change, the conversation weaves together science and philosophical implications.
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Entropy's Subjectivity
- Entropy, a measure of disorder, seems subjective and context-dependent.
- Its definition relies on macroscopic observation and coarse-graining, which involve human choices.
Entropy, Time, and Function
- The traditional view of entropy doesn't consider history or function.
- DNA's entropy might appear unchanged despite degradation affecting its future impact.
Life's Expansion and Entropy
- Life's evolution involves discovering ways to extend activities across larger spaces and times.
- This expansion opens up new possibilities for entropy flow, driving complexity.
