In the Beginning was Information

ical bond. The half-life T is given by the formula T = ln 2/k; thisindicates the time required for any given quantity n 0 to diminish tohalf as much, n 0 /2. Since we are dealing with statistical events,one might expect that less than half the number of atoms or appreciablymore then half could have decayed at time T. However, theprobability of deviation from this law is so close to zero, that wecould regard it as statistically impossible. It should be clear thatimpossible events are neither observable, nor recognisable, normeasurable. Possible events have in general either been observed,or they are observable. However, there are other possible eventsabout which it can be said that they– cannot or cannot yet be observed (e. g. processes taking placein the sun’s interior)– are in principle observable, but have never been observed.Thus far we have only discussed natural events, but now we canapply these concepts to technological processes (in the widestsense of the word, comprising everything that can be made byhuman beings). The following categories are now apparent:1. possible processes1.1 already implemented1.2 not yet implemented, but realisable in principle2. impossible processes: Proposed processes of this kind are fundamentallyunrealisable, because they are precluded by laws ofnature.The distinctions illustrated in Figure 7 follow from a comparisonof possible events in nature and in technology,namely:a) Processes which occur only in nature, but have not (yet) beenrealised technologically (e. g. photosynthesis, the storage ofinformation on DNA molecules, and life functions)b) Processes occurring in nature which are also technologicallyrealisable (e. g. industrial synthesis of organic substances)c) Processes which have been technologically implemented, but donot occur in nature (e. g. synthesis of artificial materials)41