The Butterfly Effect
The Butterfly Effect is where a small tug in the rhythm of life can affect everything as it ripples through time. This effect can come down to the very flap of a butterfly’s wings by changing the atmosphere ever so slightly. Think of it Jenga; you take away a specific block and things can be just fine, but another block, one particular block if removed causes everything else to fall apart. The reality is you have no idea what thing, or what block will change your future, so everything has a say in it. Everything has led you to this very moment, every choice, decision, and thought.
Edward Lorenz accidentally discovered the butterfly effect in the 1960s with a computer. He simulated the weather and decided to change one decimal in the coding. He, as well as everyone, believed that nothing would change. However, the computer showed differently with a whole new weather pattern appearing. This shows that there is no way to predict in advance what the outcome of the weather may be, not to mention the outcome of your life.
An example of the Butterfly effect was during the Russian missile crisis a Russian nuclear submarine was stationed off the coast of Cuba, American ships detected the submarine. They became using depth charges to signal the submarine to surface. The crew on board though took these death charges to be bombed. The captain of the ship believed that war broke out between the USA and the Soviet Union. He believed it was ordered to have a nuclear bomb sent immediately. Everyone the submarine agreed except for one officer Vasili Arkhipov. Without a unanimous vote, no action could be taken; thus, world war three was prevented.
Other events, such as when the vaccine of Polio was found by Jonas Salk, there was an effect. If Salk had not discovered the vaccine at the time he did, the entire population of the planet today would be vastly different. Some people would not have been born. Entire family lines may have been cut off due to the lack of the vaccine. Perhaps some of the largest companies today would not have been created if it were not for this specific event happening at this specific time.
What was the butterfly effect on you? What was the chance of you living, breathing, and thinking? You are the 1 out of 400 trillion chances of being on this earth as a human being. To be able to imagine, create, and explore this gift; a gift of a miracle that was given to you by chance — the Butterfly Effect.
