Category Archives: Evolution

Q: Is the final step in evolution an ascension into an energy-based lifeform?

Posted on May 6, 2012 by The Physicist

Physicist: Awesome question! The very short answer is: nope. Energy beings are an old staple of sci-fi (a good one), but they’re almost certainly impossible, or at least, it’s almost certainly impossible for life (as we know it) to evolve … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Biology, Evolution, Physics | 23 Comments

Q: Does the 2nd law of thermodynamics imply that everything must eventually die, regardless of the ultimate fate of the universe?

Posted on October 4, 2010 by The Physicist

Physicist: The 2nd law of thermodynamics states that in any closed system entropy will increase over time. The exact rate at which entropy increases is situation dependent (e.g., being on fire or not). As a quick aside, one of my … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Biology, Entropy/Information, Evolution, Paranoia, Philosophical | 9 Comments

Q: Is it of any coincidence that mathematics is able to describe physical reality – given that both are inventions of the human mind?

Posted on March 5, 2010 by The Physicist

Physicist: There’s a lot of math that doesn’t describe physical reality at all, and even some (few) mathematicians who feel that “applicability” is just another word for “impurity”. The ability of math to describe reality is just a consequence of … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Physicist, -- Guest Author, Evolution, Math, Paranoia, Philosophical | 3 Comments

Q: Do aliens exist?

Posted on January 30, 2010 by The Physicist

Physicist: Yuppers. In as much as the probability that they don’t is effectively zero. The statistics on this are a little weak, since we only have one real data point. If you define intelligent life as tool-using, then (based on … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Mathematician, -- By the Physicist, Astronomy, Biology, Evolution, Physics | 11 Comments

Q: Why?

Posted on December 2, 2009 by The Mathematician

Mathematician: From time to time, people like asking us questions such as “Why?”, while steadfastly refusing to explain what the heck they are talking about. The best example of this was a naked guy who approached our “Ask a Mathematician … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Mathematician, -- By the Physicist, Evolution, Philosophical, Quantum Theory | 7 Comments

Q: What is the meaning of life?

Posted on October 29, 2009 by The Mathematician

Mathematician: I’m glad you asked. The theory of evolution with natural selection sheds some light on the question of why humans exist, which in turn relates to the meaning of life. First of all, let me get this out of … Continue reading →