Durant wrote:
>
> and another one
>
> >> Obviously, you are mistaken David. There are no exceptions to the laws
> >> of thermodynamics. They apply everywhere -- even in your backyard.
> >>
> >> The laws of thermodynamics tell us that you can not burn a barrel of oil
> >> twice. It's like gravity -- you can try it at home.
[snip]
OK. But that barrel of crude oil can be burned with the sole effect of
keeping up the price of oil, or it can be refined and fractionated to
provide a vast array of useful work. One telos of technological advance
is asymptotically to approach the point where we can accomplish
everything
no resource input.
I have no idea whether or not computer power can overcome entropy (this
is a non-trivial "theoretical" issue!). I do know that,
if I am in a sealed capsule *(e.g., "Das Boot"...),
and I have to stay there 8 hours to get up to the open air again,
it is far less relevant whether all work generates heat, than whether
I can make my air supply last for 8 hours and 1 second. The former is
perhaps an "academic exercise" in the manipulation of the values
of continuous functions. The latter is a more consequential "step
function".
As far as gravity is concerned, Godzilla and a Tai-chi master both
obey the law of gravity -- but with somewhat different "resource
consumption
to effect" ratios....
\brad mccormick
--
Mankind is not the master of all the stuff that exists, but
Everyman (woman, child) is a judge of the world.
Brad McCormick, Ed.D. / [EMAIL PROTECTED]
(914)238-0788 / 27 Poillon Rd, Chappaqua, NY 10514-3403 USA
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