# Entropy **Domain:** Thermodynamics / Information Theory **Doc Type:** Scientific Concept Node **Maturity:** Established **Related:** [[Information Theory]], [[Time Asymmetry]], [[U10 Thermodynamic Data Classes]] --- ## Definition **Entropy** quantifies multiplicity, uncertainty, or the distribution of possible states, with distinct but mathematically related uses in thermodynamics and information theory. Thermodynamic entropy concerns physical state and irreversible processes; information entropy concerns uncertainty in a probability distribution. ## Continuity relevance Living neural systems preserve organized, history-dependent states through ongoing energy and matter exchange. A continuity model must avoid treating informational description as if it automatically captures the thermodynamic process that sustains the described system. ## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts > “Could the thermodynamic prophecy of an increasingly entropic universe be fulfilled by the cosmic flourishing of intelligent life?” > **— David Dalrymple**, *2018 Edge Annual Question, question* [[reminders/Thermodynamics/Could Intelligent Life Flourish Against Cosmic Entropy by David Dalrymple|Could Intelligent Life Flourish Against Cosmic Entropy by David Dalrymple]] > “Why the awe for the Second Law? The Second Law defines the ultimate purpose of life, mind, and human striving: to deploy energy and information to fight back the tide of entropy and carve out refuges of beneficial order. An underappreciation of the inherent tendency toward disorder, and a failure to appreciate the precious niches of order we carve out, are a major source of human folly.” > **— Steven Pinker**, *2017 Edge Annual Question, response passage* [[reminders/Thermodynamics/Life Fights Entropy With Energy and Information by Steven Pinker|Life Fights Entropy With Energy and Information by Steven Pinker]] > "Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed." > **— Antoine Lavoisier**, *1789, Popular condensation of conservation principle* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording/source has not yet been independently confirmed against a primary source; source clue: Popular condensation of conservation principle, 1789.* [[reminders/unverified/Nothing Is Lost Nothing Is Created Everything Is Transformed by Antoine Lavoisier|Nothing Is Lost Nothing Is Created Everything Is Transformed by Antoine Lavoisier]] ## Relationships - **Edge source and reminder relationship:** [[collections/Edge|Edge]] records the original Edge Annual Question responses; the source-checked quotations below route to their individual reminders and back to this topic.