When is simpler thermodynamically better
Year: 2015
Type: preprint
Abstract: Living organisms capitalize on their ability to predict their environment to maximize their available free energy, and invest this energy in turn to create new complex structures. Is there a preferred method by which this manipulation of structure should be done? Our intuition is is better, but this is only a guiding principal. Here, we substantiate this claim through thermodynamic reasoning. We present a new framework for the manipulation of patterns (structured sequences of data) by predictive devices. We identify the dissipative costs and how they can be minimized by the choice of memory in these predictive devices. For pattern generation, we see that simpler is indeed better. However, contrary to intuition, when it comes to extracting work from a pattern, any device capable of making statistically accurate predictions can recover all available energy.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2178553995