Post #2652718
2026-05-07 09:34 UTC
Entropy always increases.
There's one way for a cable to be untangled, and an incalculable amount of ways for it to be tangled. When letting it randomly change state it is very improbable for it to randomly end up in the untangled state.
Same for shoelaces, there is but a few ways for the shoes to be properly knot, and a comparatively essentially infinite ways for them not to be.
I know it's a joke, but I find this perspective fascinating.
Replies (2)
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@masterspace@lemmy.ca 2026-05-07 13:45
The danger of an over simplified model.
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@Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 2026-05-07 11:52
If it was just infinite ways for shoelaces to improperly knot then headphones would also not properly knot and easily untangle by pulling one end. But that doesn't happen. The difference is from the physics of lengths of string/wire and the shoelaces are under tension while headphone wires aren't.