I've never seen an academic article saying that the world is maximising entropy (in the thermodynamic sense).

Right. Well, I already gave some references about that further up the thread - these ones:

• Dewar, R. C., 2003, "Information theory explanation of the fluctuation theorem, maximum entropy production and self-organized criticality in non-equilibrium stationary states," J. Phys. A: Math.Gen. 36: 631-41.

• Dewar, R. C., 2005, "Maximum entropy production and the fluctuation theorem," J. Phys. A: Math.Gen. 38: L371-L381.

However, there are a large number of other such articles. E.g. see:

• Royal Society "Theme Issue" 'Maximum entropy production in ecological and environmental systems: applications and implications' compiled and edited by Axel Kleidon, Yadvinder Malhi and Peter M. Cox May 12, 2010; 365 (1545) - (17 papers)

• Paltridge, Garth W. 1975, Global Dynamics and Climate – A System of Minimum Entropy Exchange. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. 101, 475-484

• Paltridge, Garth W. 1978, The Steady State Format of Global Climate. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. 104, 927-945

• Paltridge, Garth W., 1969 - Climate and thermodynamic systems of maximum dissipation

For more introductory material, perhaps see:

• Whitfield, John, Survival of the Likeliest

• Whitfield, John, Complex systems: Order out of chaos

...and for more references, perhaps try the ones on: http://originoflife.net/bright_light/