True science postulates laws that are devoid of any morality. The principles on mechanics that Newton described are true. No matter what you find of them. The same applies for other fields such as mathematics, thermodynamics, electronics, etc. Still the effect of these scientific principles might hold a moral value.

In this regard I came across a nice quote about the 2^nd law of thermodynamics in the confusing, satirical, mad Principia Discordia by Greg Hill (Malaclypse The Younger) and Kerry Thornley (Omar Khayyam Ravenhurst).

‘The tendency for entropy to increase in isolated systems is expressed in the second law of thermodynamics — perhaps the most pessimistic and amoral formulation in all human thought.’

And pessimistic it is. Because the 2^nd law of thermodynamics tells us that we’re all moving slowly into a state of chaos (measured with entropy, i.e. the amount of energy not available for useful work). The entropy will rise, unless we pour energy in the system to keep it running as it is.

The 2nd law of thermodynamics tells organisations resist to change and innovation

By analogy it implies that to keep organisations running as they are currently running, you need to put energy in them. Continuously and without loss of attention. More importantly, it also implies that all energy that is not put into keeping the system running is lost energy. It will increase the entropy and move the system (the organisation) towards chaos.

That’s bad news for change and innovation leaders. Change and innovation is about rearranging the current order. Put otherwise: it’s about diverting energy that is currently being put into keeping the system running. The 2^nd law of Thermodynamics is ruthless: the organisation will view your change and innovation endeavour as hostile. Chaos (even described in attractive and rosy futures) is not a destination organisations are longing for.

The 2^nd law of thermodynamics is the exact reason why organisations naturally pursue the urgent (keeping the status quo) instead of the important (long term adaption to fit the requirements of the future).

Be honest and prepare for Chaos

It might sound paradoxical… but every change or innovation leader should warn his or her followers to prepare for Chaos. And it might just another name for the Groan Zone I introduced in an earlier post.