[A living organism] ... feeds upon negative entropy…
![“[A living organism] ... feeds upon negative entropy ... Thus the device by which an organism maintains itself stationary at a fairly high level of orderliness (= fairly low level of entropy) really consists in continually sucking orderliness from its environment.” quote by Erwin Schrodinger](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/1e6/erwin-schrodinger-8450_biology_a-living-organism-feeds-upon-negative-en_1038869.jpg)
“[A living organism] ... feeds upon negative entropy ... Thus the device by which an organism maintains itself stationary at a fairly high level of orderliness (= fairly low level of entropy) really consists in continually sucking orderliness from its environment.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Organisms sustain low entropy by extracting order from surroundings, maintaining internal organization.
In simple terms: Living things keep order by taking it from the environment.
Key Takeaway
Preserve order by managing energy flow.
Themes
biology
entropy
systems
maintenance
Mood
reflective
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- cellular processes
- ecosystem management
- industrial design
- sustainability planning
Key Concepts
thermodynamics
information theory
homeostasis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you maintain order in chaotic environments?
- What sources of “order” can you tap into?
A Different Perspective
Assumes a clear gradient of order, which may not exist in all contexts.