Comment on an information theoretic approach to the study of non-equilibrium steady states

TL;DR

This paper critiques previous information theoretic analyses of non-equilibrium steady states, arguing that their foundational assumptions are physically unrealistic, thus questioning the validity of their conclusions.

Contribution

It identifies a fundamental flaw in prior work's assumptions, challenging the physical relevance of their results on non-equilibrium steady states.

Findings

Previous analyses rely on unrealistic assumptions.

The foundational basis for certain information theoretic approaches is flawed.

Consequently, the conclusions of those approaches are not physically meaningful.

Abstract

We argue that there is a fundamental problem regarding the analysis that serves as the foundation for the papers {\it Information theory explanation of the fluctuation theorem, maximum entropy production and self-organized criticality in non-equilibrium stationary states} [R. Dewar, J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. {\bf 36} (2003), 631-641] and {\it Maximum entropy production and the fluctuation theorem} [R. Dewar, J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. {\bf 38} (2005), L371-L381]. In particular, we demonstrate that this analysis is based on an assumption that is physically unrealistic and that, hence, the results obtained in those papers cannot be regarded as physically meaningful.