See my post to the Albert Einstein Discussion Page in Wikiquote. Here's what I think the quote should be:
A theory is the more impressive the greater the simplicity of its premises is, the more different kinds of things it relates, and the more extended is its area of applicability. Therefore, the deep impression that classical thermodynamics made upon me. It is the only physical theory of universal content concerning which I am convinced that, within the framework of the applicability of its basic concepts, it will never be overthrown.
I blogged about this quote a while back. It just occurred to me that irony itself is yet another manifestation of entropy: a gap between intended meaning (macrostate) and possible meanings (microstates).
" The entropy of the earth is increasing.. It is man's technology that is causing it, and it will have to be man's technology in the future to fix it before it becomes irreversible" Albert Einstein
Posted by: William Nelson | May 01, 2011 at 08:34 PM
William, Thanks for your comment.
Do you have a cite for the Einstein quote? I'd like to see it in context. Taken out of context it just sounds wrong. First, it is not clear that the entropy of the Earth is increasing. It could very well be moving further from equilibrium due to technology. But what's most confusing is the idea of "reversing" entropy. In the long run, according to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, entropy cannot be reversed (in a closed system).
There's lots of things we need to "fix" here on Earth, but I'm not sure "fixing the increase in entropy" is one of them.
Posted by: Nick Gall | May 02, 2011 at 07:14 AM