The Entropy of Entropy
Entropy is defined as "a measure of the energy that is not available for work during a thermodynamic process. A closed system evolves toward a state of maximum entropy."
In other words, anything — left to itself — will run out of energy.
A little while ago, I went to a local community center to post up fliers for my own tutoring services. I ended up speaking with the community center director, a kind lady, who invited me to host small group classes in the community center. I was quite excited about this opportunity, so I started scheming immediately: I slapped together some ideas for a poetry course, an essay writing course, a grammar course, and an overall math review.
As you may know, the holidays have been and continue to be upon us. As happens to many, demands become higher and schedules become tighter. I tried to reach out to the community center director a number of times in the recent past; each time, she said she was unavailable because of some event or sheer busyness.
After a few iterations of this, I figured entropy had gotten me, entropy had won. I felt discouraged and stressed for a while.
Today, I was planning on visiting a different community center in the hopes of making new, opportune connections. I figured I could stop by the first one: worst case scenario, I wouldn't get to chat with the director. I strolled into her office, and, though she seemed as busy as she indicated via email, she still greeted me warmly. I spoke with her briefly, and she gave me renewed clarity about how I am going to post classes and receive students.
I drove away greatly elated.
(I went to the second community center. The lady at the desk turned me away just about as quickly as I began my spiel.)
Now, I am sitting here both writing this little post but also churning ideas about the courses I want to teach. I would love Love LOVE to do a course on poetry. We shall see how many sign-ups I get.
In any case, the moral of the story is that entropy itself is also susceptible to entropy. Just as simply (I say simply on purpose — as opposed to easily) as an effort can be foiled by entropy, entropy can also be foiled by deliberate choices in the same direction.
I forget where I first saw that image, but it pops back into my mind when I start to tire of some increasingly tiresome task. I think to myself that I've dug endlessly and gotten nowhere. Dirt: it's all dirt, so I want to give up. It is then that I remember almost everything worthwhile is closely preceded by some great difficulty.
Often, when challenges seem their worst, the victory is just beyond the hilltop. Sometimes, the hilltop gives way to another uphill battle. Often, this only compounds the great victory that rests at the top of the mountain.
Sometimes, all you need to overpower entropy is consistent choices in the same direction. Not mysterious magic or piles of money, not a repertoire of skills or even the best connections. Sometimes, it is just rock giving way to water: a gentle but constant flow in the same direction.
In other words, anything — left to itself — will run out of energy.
A little while ago, I went to a local community center to post up fliers for my own tutoring services. I ended up speaking with the community center director, a kind lady, who invited me to host small group classes in the community center. I was quite excited about this opportunity, so I started scheming immediately: I slapped together some ideas for a poetry course, an essay writing course, a grammar course, and an overall math review.
As you may know, the holidays have been and continue to be upon us. As happens to many, demands become higher and schedules become tighter. I tried to reach out to the community center director a number of times in the recent past; each time, she said she was unavailable because of some event or sheer busyness.
After a few iterations of this, I figured entropy had gotten me, entropy had won. I felt discouraged and stressed for a while.
Today, I was planning on visiting a different community center in the hopes of making new, opportune connections. I figured I could stop by the first one: worst case scenario, I wouldn't get to chat with the director. I strolled into her office, and, though she seemed as busy as she indicated via email, she still greeted me warmly. I spoke with her briefly, and she gave me renewed clarity about how I am going to post classes and receive students.
I drove away greatly elated.
(I went to the second community center. The lady at the desk turned me away just about as quickly as I began my spiel.)
Now, I am sitting here both writing this little post but also churning ideas about the courses I want to teach. I would love Love LOVE to do a course on poetry. We shall see how many sign-ups I get.
In any case, the moral of the story is that entropy itself is also susceptible to entropy. Just as simply (I say simply on purpose — as opposed to easily) as an effort can be foiled by entropy, entropy can also be foiled by deliberate choices in the same direction.
 |
| Never give up. |
I forget where I first saw that image, but it pops back into my mind when I start to tire of some increasingly tiresome task. I think to myself that I've dug endlessly and gotten nowhere. Dirt: it's all dirt, so I want to give up. It is then that I remember almost everything worthwhile is closely preceded by some great difficulty.
Often, when challenges seem their worst, the victory is just beyond the hilltop. Sometimes, the hilltop gives way to another uphill battle. Often, this only compounds the great victory that rests at the top of the mountain.
Sometimes, all you need to overpower entropy is consistent choices in the same direction. Not mysterious magic or piles of money, not a repertoire of skills or even the best connections. Sometimes, it is just rock giving way to water: a gentle but constant flow in the same direction.
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