Student Essay Competition

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Essay Theme for College Students

Big Question III
What is the origin of complexity in the universe?

We are living in a wonderfully complex world. According to the known astronomical and cosmological theories, our universe has become more and more “complex” and produced more and more interesting phenomena in it. How did this happen? What were the key stages? What are the prerequisites for such emergent complexity? For instance, is the “Past Hypothesis” (the idea that the universe had the initial low entropy state) true? Through the proceßss of becoming more and more complex, the universe generated conscious observers who contemplate the very meaning of existence of the universe as well as their own and ask the question: “Why are we here?” What are the origins of this amazing complexity in the universe? What are the origins and conditions of continuing complexity in the universe?

Students are encouraged to choose some aspects of this question, from which they may generate more focused essays. The following sub-questions are provided as exemplary questions. Applicants may choose their own research questions Ïprovided that such questions are directly or significantly relevant to the above Big Question.

Exemplary sub-questions:

1. What are the conditions for the universe to evolve to a high degree of complexity?
2. What are the key stages of increasing complexity in the universe? How do they come about?
3. Will the complexity of the universe continue to increase? If so, how long?
4. Or, are there any theoretical limits to the complexity of the universe?

Entrants may consider the following suggested readings for inspiration:

• Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos by M. Mitchell Waldrop
• Just Six Numbers: The Deep Forces that Shape the Universe by Martin Rees
• At Home in the Universe: The Search for the Laws of Self-Organization and Complexity by Stuart Kauffman
• The Anthropic Cosmological Principle by John Barrow & Frank Tipler

Questions? Check out the FAQ »