The physics of entropy and the origin of life | Sean Carroll
How did complex systems emerge from chaos? Physicist Sean Carroll explains.
Subscribe to Big Think on YouTube ►
Up next, The Universe in 90 minutes: Time, free will, God, & more ►
How did life on Earth originate? Scientists still aren’t sure, and this remains one of the world’s most fascinating and mind-boggling mysteries.
One way of approaching the question is to think generally about how complex systems emerge from chaos. Since the 1800s, scientists have known that entropy is always increasing, with everything in our Universe trending toward disorder over time.
A more nuanced understanding of entropy is helping today’s scientists make progress on the question of the origin of life, as Sean Carroll explains in this Big Think video.
Read the video transcript ►
0:00 Entropy: The 2nd law of thermodynamics
1:56 The two axes: Chaos & complexity
2:40 How did life emerge?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Sean Carroll:
Dr. Sean Carroll is Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy — in effect, a joint appointment between physics and philosophy — at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and fractal faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. Most of his career has been spent doing research on cosmology, field theory, and gravitation, looking at topics such as dark matter and dark energy, modified gravity, topological defects, extra dimensions, and violations of fundamental symmetries. These days, his focus has shifted to more foundational questions, both in quantum mechanics (origin of probability, emergence of space and time) and statistical mechanics (entropy and the arrow of time, emergence and causation, dynamics of complexity), bringing a more philosophical dimension to his work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read more of our stories on the origin of life:
What we wish we knew about the origin of life
►
Can science explain the beginning of the Universe?
►
Ask Ethan: Did all life begin from a single, ancient cell?
►
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Big Think | Smarter Faster™
► Big Think
The leading source of expert-driven, educational content. With thousands of videos, featuring experts ranging from Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think helps you get smarter, faster by exploring the big ideas and core skills that define knowledge in the 21st century.
► Big Think
Make your business smarter, faster:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Want more Big Think?
► Daily editorial features:
► Get the best of Big Think right to your inbox:
► Facebook:
► Instagram:
► Twitter:
1 view
70
10
9 minutes ago 00:08:38 1
Reeko - Supreme Civilization #1 (2004)
14 minutes ago 00:00:29 1
Invincible Inch Fist, the perfect combination of speed and power寸拳无敌,速度与力量的完美结合#kungfu #martialarts
22 minutes ago 00:09:26 1
Физики в тайге столкнулись с явлением из иного мира
28 minutes ago 00:03:28 1
Blink-182 - One More Time (Legendado PT BR)
42 minutes ago 00:03:40 1
Celtic Fantasy - “Foreshadowing (Rest in Pieces)“ - Harp Twins
1 hour ago 10:29:17 1
Let Go Of Self Sabotaging | Clear Mind From Negative Thoughts & Feelings | 639 Hz Healing Music
1 hour ago 00:07:58 1
FEEL THE YOGA FLOW WITH EVELINA - STRETCHING EXERCISES AND YOGA IN DRESS
1 hour ago 00:00:14 1
When You Underestimate the Power of Physics 🤯😱 | Study Motivation Status #motivation #study #physics
1 hour ago 00:10:17 1
➜ Do This 10-MIN Stretching Workout for Weight Loss - Burn Calories with Flexibility!
1 hour ago 01:04:32 1
Эту музыку можно слушать вечно! Самая красивая мелодия на свете! Музыка для души
1 hour ago 00:04:21 1
Angelina Jordan (8) - Fly Me To The Moon - The View 2014
2 hours ago 00:03:42 1
Sony’s Creative Entertainment Vision (with Audio Description) | Official Video
2 hours ago 00:07:04 1
Sternal Precautions For Post-Op Open Heart Surgery
2 hours ago 01:03:46 1
Вы не можете жить без этой музыки. Музыка для сердца, здоровья
2 hours ago 00:03:52 2
Led Zeppelin - Boogie With Stu [HD] [MP4]
2 hours ago 00:00:22 1
Chinese Odd Weapon, Long Rope Dart,super powerfull stunt. #martialarts #kungfu #sports
2 hours ago 00:00:00 1
Deep Sleep Healing: Full Body Repair and Regeneration at 432Hz, Positive Energy Flow
3 hours ago 00:02:16 1
Late Bloomers | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical
3 hours ago 00:03:48 1
Nickelback - How You Remind Me (Video)
3 hours ago 00:04:14 1
Evanescence - Bring Me To Life (Official HD Music Video)
3 hours ago 00:03:58 1
Simply Falling - Iyeoka (Official Music Video)
3 hours ago 03:23:01 1
Throat Chakra Resonance|Frequency of soaking and deep healing | Meditation music, Good night’s sleep
3 hours ago 01:05:24 1
Эти песни можно слушать бесконечно. для душевного спокойствия.