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The increase of disorder or entropy with time is one example of what is called an arrow of time, something that distinguishes the past from the future, giving a direction to time.
Stephen Hawking
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Entropy increases over time, symbolizing the directionality of time from the past to the future.

In this quote, Stephen Hawking explains the concept of entropy as it relates to the flow of time, highlighting that the natural tendency of disorder in the universe increases as time progresses. This notion of an 'arrow of time' serves to differentiate between past events and future possibilities, underscoring the irreversible nature of time's passage and its implications in understanding the universe.

Themes

EntropyTimeDisorderPastFutureArrow Of Time

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a discussion about the laws of thermodynamics in a science class.

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