Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[Math Junkie]

"If matter was eternal, then the structures of matter (planets, etc.) would have long ago (an eternity ago) crumbled due to the 2nd law of thermodynamics."

The fact that the second law of thermodynamics applies under all circumstances in which we have checked it does not prove that it is true under all circumstances. Suppose the big bang theory were correct, for example. We have no more basis for predicting that the laws of thermodynamics would apply at the time of a big bang than Newton would have had for saying that his laws would apply near the speed of light.

Another example: how do we know that they apply in black holes?

One fundamental thing to keep in mind about the laws of physics is that they are only laws until someone finds a reproducible experiment that generates circumstances in which they do not apply.