[Alter Kaker]

Reasonably, our solar system can be treated as a closed system for most ordinary thermodynamic studies.

This is absolutely true if you consider that the sun is gradually burning off its hydrogen, by far the largest force in the solar system. The whole solar system is not at issue, however, we're talking about life on Earth. And the earth is not a closed system in any respect, so localized entropy is not a factor.

This reminds me of that scene in Annie Hall, where Alvie Singer is depressed because the universe is expanding into nothingness, and his mother has to calm him down saying, "Brooklyn is not expanding!"

[GarySpFc]

Mike claims the solar system is closed, and I guarantee you he has far more credentials in this respect than you. I have seen him debate this issue many times, and everyone to date has gone away with their tails between their legs. Would you like to debate him on line?

[Gumlegs]

This reminds me of that scene in Annie Hall, where Alvie Singer is depressed because the universe is expanding into nothingness, and his mother has to calm him down saying, "Brooklyn is not expanding!"

Indeed, one can make the argument that after the 1957 season, Brooklyn has been contracting.