Re: Extropy and Life (I)

Forrest Bishop (forrestb@ix.netcom.com)
Tue, 19 Aug 1997 14:03:30 -0500 (CDT)


Anders wrote:
>
>On Tue, 19 Aug 1997, Prof. Jose Gomes Filho wrote:
[...]
>
>IMHO Extropy is a rather loose term, a bit like "complexity". We have
>an intuitive feeling for it, but when studied closely it likely falls
>apart into some more elementary (and perhaps different) concepts such
>as complexity and -entropy.

Yes, it simply does not have a rigorous, scientific definition as yet.

>I think these are very good questions, moving in the borderland
>between thermodynamics and complexity theory. But I think we need a
>better definition of what we are talking about before proceeding.

Such as including conciousness.

>> 2. What conditions lead the same particles set to have extropic or
>> extropic behaviour?

The application of intelligent, directed behavior.

>> 3. What conditions would reverse the extropic/entropic state of a set
>> of particles (including aglomerate objects)?

Ditto.

>> 4. What were the extropic conditions that have generated life on
>> Earth ?

None. No intelligence was involved.

>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension!

Forrest