SocialPipeline 02/27/2012 (p.m.)

• Universe Has 100x More Entropy Than We Thought - Slashdot

  • "Previous estimates are now thought to skimp on the entropy of the observable universe. The researchers contend that super-massive black holes are the largest contributor of entropy. Since they contribute two orders of magnitude more than previously thought, the total of all the observable universe is correspondingly higher. The paper highlights (in gruesome detail) new issues that arise with these new calculations — like estimating us a little bit closer to heat death (moving entropy totals from 10^102 to 10^104 out of a maximum of 10^122)."

                

     

       

     

• Second law of thermodynamics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  • According to the second law, the entropy of any isolated system, such as the entire universe, never decreases. If the entropy of the universe has a maximum upper bound then when this bound is reached the universe has no thermodynamic free energy to sustain motion or life, that is, the heat death is reached.

     

• 苏小和 : 雷锋，如此年轻的螺丝钉 - 一五一十部落 | My1510

  • 汉娜·阿伦特在《耶路撒冷的艾希曼》中提到了 “平庸的恶”（evil of banality）的观点。她指出，日常生活中貌似本分、规矩的人在极权主义的机器里发挥的螺丝钉作用，由于丧失判断善恶的思维，会犯下巨大的罪过。幸运的雷锋并没有活到这个国家最荒谬的时代，不过不难预料，倘若亲身经历文革，他必定会被卷入狂热的革命浪潮中。当失控的国家机器遍地屠戮，螺丝钉也将沾染上血迹。

• A battery breakthrough that could bring electric cars to the masses — Cleantech News and Analysis

  • Envia says with an energy density of 400 watt-hours per kilogram, its battery cell costs could be at $125 per kWh. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said recently that he sees battery cells dropping in price to below $200 per kWh in the coming years. Current electric cars like the Volt have been reported to be closer to $500 to $600 per kWh, and the Nissan LEAF at $375 per kWh.

     

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.