The Fractal Catalytic Model argues that the 'evolution of life is the evolution of catalysis. This raises questions concerning the long term evolution of the universe and the rate at which the universe will approach its' eventual 'heat death'. Can life really affect the longevity of the universe?
Also, if sentient life is common and the rate of technological advancement is ever increasing - could this fact influence the course and evolution of the universe?
If the emergence of sentient life and advanced technologies is a process that has been going on for millions of years could its influence be measured now?
Thanks Christian,
Nice answer, however, on the question of attempting to define life and sentient life I am a little bit ahead of you - that is what my research has all been about.
If you have a different answer to the one I have come up with then I would love to hear what it is.
Try:
Davia, C.J (June 2006), "Life, Catalysis and Excitable Media: A Dynamic Systems Approach to Metabolism and Cognition", in Tuszynski, J.A, The Emerging Physics of Consciousness (The Frontiers Collection), Springer, pp. 255–292, ISBN 978-3540238904
Or see attached document: alternatively, for a cosmological perspective, you might like to look at the work of Chris King (Aukland)
Best
Chris
Hey Christian,
You know, it would once have been considered absurd to think that the activities of humans could change the planet - how wrong we were.
Also, on the question of teleology: if life is a fundamental physical process - as I believe that it is, it is not a matter of teleology to speculate upon how the effects of that process will evolve over time.
It is not a matter of idle metaphysical speculation that I would ask such a question. One of the implications of the Fractal Catalytic model (when considered at the cosmic scale ) is that the universe is an autocatylitic process. Through life, the channels for energy dissipation are maximized. (See the Schneider and Kay references in both the files above). The standard model of the space/time topology of the universe does not take this into account.
Chris
Dear Christopher,
Your question is very interesting.
We published in 2010 an aricle "Informational Evolution of the Universe: Two Approaches to the Living Ssystem Evolution" by Nusinov, Kardashov and Eppelbaum (attached).
I can suggest that the article will be in use (?).
Best regards,
Lev
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