New theory as to why life exists

bogwalrus

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has derived a mathematical formula that he believes explains this capacity. The formula, based on established physics, indicates that when a group of atoms is driven by an external source of energy (like the sun or chemical fuel) and surrounded by a heat bath (like the ocean or atmosphere), it will often gradually restructure itself in order to dissipate increasingly more energy. This could mean that under certain conditions, matter inexorably acquires the key physical attribute associated with life.



“You start with a random clump of atoms, and if you shine light on it for long enough, it should not be so surprising that you get a plant,” England said.

http://www.businessinsider.com/groundbreaking-idea-of-lifes-origin-2014-12?IR=T

Morbert

A good wikipedia introduction for anyone interested in this branch of thermodynamics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_power_principle

jameswang

That's a interesting topic. The process of turning random elements to life is really amazing.

slade_x

On a somewhat related topic; brief TED lecture on intelligence:

Is there an equation for intelligence? Yes. It’s F = T ∇ Sτ. In a fascinating and informative talk, physicist and computer scientist Alex Wissner-Gross explains what in the world that means. (Filmed at TEDxBeaconStreet.)

http://www.ted.com/talks/alex_wissner_gross_a_new_equation_for_intelligence?language=en

Not the most enthusiast public speaker though

Akrasia

bogwalrus wrote: »

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has derived a mathematical formula that he believes explains this capacity. The formula, based on established physics, indicates that when a group of atoms is driven by an external source of energy (like the sun or chemical fuel) and surrounded by a heat bath (like the ocean or atmosphere), it will often gradually restructure itself in order to dissipate increasingly more energy. This could mean that under certain conditions, matter inexorably acquires the key physical attribute associated with life.



“You start with a random clump of atoms, and if you shine light on it for long enough, it should not be so surprising that you get a plant,” England said.

http://www.businessinsider.com/groundbreaking-idea-of-lifes-origin-2014-12?IR=T

Soooo, you're saying it's magic?

Maximus Alexander

Akrasia wrote: »

Soooo, you're saying it's magic?

The magic of entropy.