Difference between revisions of "Butterfly effect"
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| − | The '''Butterfly effect''' is the essence of [[Chaos Theory]]. It holds that a system can be | + | The '''Butterfly effect''' is the essence of [[Chaos Theory]]. It holds that a system can be sensitive to initial conditions. Systems, such as the [[weather]], can become unstable over time, giving rise to the notion that a [[butterfly]] flapping its wings in [[New York]] can cause a [[hurricane]] in the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref>http://www.fortunecity.com/emachines/e11/86/beffect.html</ref> |
==In Popular Culture== | ==In Popular Culture== | ||
| − | The butterfly effect is usually found in [[science fiction]] stories and [[movies]]. It describes the possibility of a person traveling back in time, and inadvertently changing some | + | The butterfly effect is usually found in [[science fiction]] stories and [[movies]]. It describes the possibility of a person traveling back in time, and inadvertently changing some minuscule thing in the past — such as [[murder|killing]] a [[butterfly]] — that has momentous consequences as time goes by, so that the he returns to a radically altered [[future]]. |
Most agree that this scenario is impossible. The [[Bible]] describes only [[Jesus]]<ref>"Before [[Abraham]] was born, I am", [[John]] 8:58</ref> and [[God]]<ref>"I the LORD do not change", [[Malachi]] 3:6</ref> as capable of [[time travel]]. Despite this assertion, the Butterfly Effect makes appearances in many [[Hollywood values|Hollywood]] films (most of which have been condemned by the [[Vatican]]). Movies of this type include: | Most agree that this scenario is impossible. The [[Bible]] describes only [[Jesus]]<ref>"Before [[Abraham]] was born, I am", [[John]] 8:58</ref> and [[God]]<ref>"I the LORD do not change", [[Malachi]] 3:6</ref> as capable of [[time travel]]. Despite this assertion, the Butterfly Effect makes appearances in many [[Hollywood values|Hollywood]] films (most of which have been condemned by the [[Vatican]]). Movies of this type include: | ||
Revision as of 01:37, June 23, 2008
The Butterfly effect is the essence of Chaos Theory. It holds that a system can be sensitive to initial conditions. Systems, such as the weather, can become unstable over time, giving rise to the notion that a butterfly flapping its wings in New York can cause a hurricane in the Pacific Ocean.[1]
In Popular Culture
The butterfly effect is usually found in science fiction stories and movies. It describes the possibility of a person traveling back in time, and inadvertently changing some minuscule thing in the past — such as killing a butterfly — that has momentous consequences as time goes by, so that the he returns to a radically altered future.
Most agree that this scenario is impossible. The Bible describes only Jesus[2] and God[3] as capable of time travel. Despite this assertion, the Butterfly Effect makes appearances in many Hollywood films (most of which have been condemned by the Vatican). Movies of this type include:
The Butterfly effect was also a central theme of Isaac Asimov's short story "A Sound of Thunder", in which a man travels back in time to hunt dinosaurs, and inadvertently shoots a butterfly by mistake. This scenario, while plausible enough as a science fiction story, could certainly never happen in real life.