[Timon3]

> Like the best ideas, it’s simple and makes sense if you think about it, but it’s still a really interesting framing that the complex machinery of life is really just the most efficient “entropy converter”.

Right? I think this could be a really interesting basis for a sci-fi novel - the first space-faring civilization in the entire universe trying to force every form of life to keep "entropy usage" to a minimum, so they can prolong their own life span.

[hunter-gatherer]

Isaac Asmiov's short story "The Last Question" isn't super inline with your suggestion but is a short discourse on humanity's struggle against entropy.

[ineptech]

Not exactly what you're describing, but this is along those lines: https://slatestarcodex.com/2015/06/02/and-i-show-you-how-dee... It's pretty silly but the ending is both satisfying and relevant.