[doc30]

And yet it appears that living organisms remain living only so long as they are “successfully communicating” information. When that process stops, the organism dies; i.e., becomes subject to the second law of thermodynamics — the consequences of which the now-deceased organism had managed to optimally distance itself from while alive.

Why does the 2nd law of thermodynamics only apply to organisms after they die? Can their information content still be communicated? And why or why not?

[betty boop]

Why does the 2nd law of thermodynamics only apply to organisms after they die?

It doesn't. The article makes a point of showing that the second law applies throughout the life of the organism.