Physicist Jeremy England proposes a provocative new theory about the origin and evolution of life. He suggests that the fundamental laws of nature, rather than luck, drive life’s existence. According to his theory, living things are better at capturing energy from their environment and dissipating it as heat than inanimate matter. England derived a mathematical formula based on established physics, showing that when atoms are driven by an external energy source and surrounded by a heat bath, they restructure themselves to dissipate more energy. This principle might explain self-replication and the organization of living and non-living systems. England’s idea complements Darwinian evolution and has sparked both enthusiasm and skepticism among fellow scientists. Further experiments and testing will be needed to evaluate its validity fully. If confirmed, it could lead to a broader perspective on the emergence of structure and function in living things, beyond solely relying on natural selection.
