Let's Get Thinking.
The Butterfly Effect
Does the flap of a butterfly's wings in
Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?
- Title of Edward Lorenz's talk for the 139th meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?
- Title of Edward Lorenz's talk for the 139th meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
The butterfly effect is a concept found in an incredible amount of fields, just like our experimental, including math, science, pop culture, and of course, psychology. Because of its abstract nature, it has multiple defintions. Before confusing both ourselves and you with complex math explanations beyond our comprehension, we thought it best to start simple. After heavy research, we have come to the understanding that the butterfly effect is the idea that a slight change in an initial condition can cause drastic variations in the long run. This differs from the long-held belief that small differences cause small effects, and the same for large differences and large effects.
This theory has been explored by many, but its discovery is attributed to Edward Norton Lorenz, a mathematician and meteorologist. It was the winter of 1961 and he was running a weather prediction for the second time to examine it thoroughly. He thought the data he punched in was identical to the numbers used the first time, but when the results came back differently he found a slight mistake. Instead of using 6 digits, as shown in the computer, he used the rounded 3 digits shown in the printout of the results of the first run. The change this unconscious accident produced is illustrated in the picture below, and led to the revelation of the butterfly effect.
This theory has been explored by many, but its discovery is attributed to Edward Norton Lorenz, a mathematician and meteorologist. It was the winter of 1961 and he was running a weather prediction for the second time to examine it thoroughly. He thought the data he punched in was identical to the numbers used the first time, but when the results came back differently he found a slight mistake. Instead of using 6 digits, as shown in the computer, he used the rounded 3 digits shown in the printout of the results of the first run. The change this unconscious accident produced is illustrated in the picture below, and led to the revelation of the butterfly effect.
http://www.stsci.edu/~lbradley/seminar/butterfly.html
The beginning of the two predictions are overlapping, meaning the decimal differences did not affect the weather of the first few model days. Further on though, going in to the model months, the weather begins to differ immensely.
We are surrounded by this phenomenon in our daily lives, although we may not recognize it. Clinical psychologist Dr. David Pincus gives a humorous example, that gets it across clearly and effectively. He relates it to "when your boss does the smallest thing that drives you completely nuts or when you lose your husband of 20 years and have to move back into the home of your emotionally abusive mother and you are okay, but three weeks later when your cat dies you begin to seriously consider suicide." We highly recommend reading the rest of his article, which may look daunting but with his continuous jokes and thorough, understandable explanations, its definitely worth your time. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-chaotic-life/200807/welcome-the-chaotic-life
We are surrounded by this phenomenon in our daily lives, although we may not recognize it. Clinical psychologist Dr. David Pincus gives a humorous example, that gets it across clearly and effectively. He relates it to "when your boss does the smallest thing that drives you completely nuts or when you lose your husband of 20 years and have to move back into the home of your emotionally abusive mother and you are okay, but three weeks later when your cat dies you begin to seriously consider suicide." We highly recommend reading the rest of his article, which may look daunting but with his continuous jokes and thorough, understandable explanations, its definitely worth your time. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-chaotic-life/200807/welcome-the-chaotic-life
How does this connect to Serendipity?
Serendipity is all about accidents and chance. In the Butterfly Effect, one accident, which may not seem like a big deal. can lead to an endless amount of possibilities. Without any previous knowledge, we discovered while researching this theory that its origin is serendipitous as well, as stated before. Bonus!
Sidenotes*
The Butterfly Effect is also notably connected with time travel, a concept which has fascinated many forever. We can all relate to those "what if" situations. Where would I be if I did that differently? To portray correct time travel is difficult, because by changing the past, one changes the future, and therefore the present world one leaves behind no longer exists. This is called a Time Paradox. Although countless films , tv shows, and books use time travel as a plot line, few do it correctly. You can be sure that we will be including some of these successful accounts in our experimental. Check back to our media tab soon!
Also, check out this engaging article about a psychology teacher who hopes to use the butterfly effect in his teaching. http://chronicle.com/article/Teachingthe-Butterfly-/44539/
The Butterfly Effect is also notably connected with time travel, a concept which has fascinated many forever. We can all relate to those "what if" situations. Where would I be if I did that differently? To portray correct time travel is difficult, because by changing the past, one changes the future, and therefore the present world one leaves behind no longer exists. This is called a Time Paradox. Although countless films , tv shows, and books use time travel as a plot line, few do it correctly. You can be sure that we will be including some of these successful accounts in our experimental. Check back to our media tab soon!
Also, check out this engaging article about a psychology teacher who hopes to use the butterfly effect in his teaching. http://chronicle.com/article/Teachingthe-Butterfly-/44539/
The Simplexity Theory.
The idea behind Simplexity is an emeriging theory between two extremes: Complexity and Simplicity.
-Complexity: Characterizes something with intricate parts in intricate arrangement
-Simplicity: The quality or condition of being easy to understand or do
-Complexity: Characterizes something with intricate parts in intricate arrangement
-Simplicity: The quality or condition of being easy to understand or do
Jeffrey Kluger, the originator of the simplexity theory, wrote a book to spread his knowledge. His ideas have been taken into serious consideration in the world of science as a revolutionary conception of our globe. The basis behind his conclusions is how something that seems so simple to the naked eye, is really very complicated. Just like serendipity, just a mere right or left turn during a jog, or taking the elevator instead of the stairs can really change our lives forever. I bet after hearing what Mr. Kluger has to say, you won't think of the simple things the same any longer!
Free WIll.
One of our intentional inquiries was; do we make our own luck? To even begin to find an answer to this possibly unanswerable question, one must consider whether man has free will. It is a loaded debate, one which brilliant minds have struggled with since the beginning of time. It could very well be said that the hardest part is figuring out what exactly is Free Will? Like serendipity itself, it is difficult to define. One defintion is the power to act without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one's own discretion. Another is the purported ability of agents to make choices free from constraints. An important characteristic to remember is that if one has free will, one is autonomous, acting independently or having the freedom to do so. The two solid definitions both include the word constraint, but what is this constraint?
- Determinism, the philosophical view that every event, including human cognition, behavior, decision, and action, is causally determined by prior events.
This leaves us with a lot to think about. What do you believe?
- Determinism, the philosophical view that every event, including human cognition, behavior, decision, and action, is causally determined by prior events.
This leaves us with a lot to think about. What do you believe?
