Andrew Symns’ letter (“Thermodynamics disputes evolution,” Feb. 10) is a perfect example of how ignorance allows people to believe whatever they want. I myself am ignorant of the many topics that back evolution, but I know at least a little about the topics Symns discussed. I do not expect the average person to understand thermodynamics but, as a graduate student in physics, I can assure you that Symns’ “proof” is greatly flawed. Thermodynamics says that the entropy of a system must not decrease. It does not say that the entropy of part of that system cannot decrease. The entropy of the Earth is allowed to decrease because the sun provides energy to it. At the same time, the entropy of the Sun increases such that the total entropy of the Sun-Earth system increases. Thus no laws are broken and we are allowed to exist without resorting to creation. I am not an expert on evolution, so I will not get too deep into that topic, but I can see that Symns’ later argument is flawed as well. He gives a good example of natural selection but fails to see that natural selection and evolution are two different concepts. Evolution is a consequence of natural selection, but it involves random gene mutations and millions of years. Also, it only applies to living organisms because only they can reproduce and pass on their genes. Buildings cannot do that.

There are an overwhelming number of topics that prove evolution. Try reading Darwin’s “The Origin of Species,” studying biological bone structures or getting a degree in DNA homology, but please do not rely on the Internet for all of your information. Also, keep in mind that just because you do not understand something (and I certainly do not understand DNA homology) doesn’t mean that it is not true.

Matthew Edd Tillman

Graduate Student

Physics and Astronomy