Conservapedia vs Evolution: Vol 4

Last time, we countered Conservapedia's claim that Evolution doesn't account for the current rate of extinction. Click here to read that. (Same window)

Conservapedia hits a new low, as their fourth counter-example to evolution misrepresents yet another scientific theory. This is what they say:

“The Second Law of Thermodynamics establishes that everything in the world becomes more disordered over time, in the absence of intelligent intervention; the theory of evolution falsely claims that some systems can become more ordered, like an impossible perpetual motion machine."

There are two separate claims in this argument. Let’s look at the first one.

“The Second Law of Thermodynamics establishes that everything in the world becomes more disordered over time, in the absence of intelligent intervention.”

The Second Law of Thermodynamics establishes that isolated systems lose the ability to do work. Since some energy is lost due to heat and other factors, an isolated system can’t convert all of its energy into working energy. This is why perpetual motion machines don’t work forever. Even the most efficient ones will leak energy, and eventually slow down.  

The phrase ‘in the absence of intelligent intervention’ is incorrect. A working phrase would be ‘within a closed system’. It seems like the author chose this misleading phrase just to make evolution seems impossible. After misrepresenting thermodynamics, the author immediately says this about Evolution:

"The theory of evolution falsely claims that some systems can become more ordered, like an impossible perpetual motion machine."

The theory of evolution does conclude that systems may become more ordered, but this doesn't contradict the actual Second Law of Thermodynamics. It only contradicts Conservapedias incorrect version which claims that intelligent intervention is needed to maintain order. The difference is that Evolution is not confided to a closed system, like impossible perpetual motion machines. 

Living organisms are not closed systems either[1]. They gain energy by eating other organisms. Most of life on Earth wouldn't even be possible without the constant intervention of the Sun, which heats organisms and even allows humans to convert cholesterol into vitamin D. Organs and the cells within them are extremely ordered[2]. The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics in no way implies that these open systems can't become more ordered.

TLDR; "Within closed systems" =/= "without intelligent intervention." Conservapedia's entire counterexample rests on their incorrectly defined version of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.

Next: Does the Law of Large Numbers disprove Evolution? (Same window)
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Originally posted on Blogspot.com/RationalJesse.
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[1]
John W. Patterson, "Thermodynamics and Evolution," in Laurie R. Godfrey, ed., Scientists Confront Creationism, W. W. Norton, New York, 1983, pg. 99-116.

[2]
http://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/45182/excerpt/9780521845182_excerpt.pdf

A beginner level lesson on Thermodynamics:
Thermodynamic Laws that Explain Systems

Ridiculously high level reading on the subject:
Open Systems and Organization Theories 
Thermodynamics of Living Systems .___________________________________________
.