The Invisible Mentor

This post is my seven reactions to, and applications for the idea of chaos which is one of the big ideas in 50 Big Ideas You Really Need to Know by Ben Dupre.

Many years ago meteorologist Edward Lorenz repeated part of a simple weather simulation through a program. He was surprised to find that the results were radically different from the previous results. His investigation showed that the computer rounded up the figures from six decimal places to three. “A minute difference in the initial condition had caused a major difference in outcome.” Lorenz’s simulation behaved in a chaotic manner. It was unpredictable. A meteorologist remarked that  if Lorenz’s ideas were correct then, “one flap of a seagull’s wings would be enough to alter the course of weather forever.” Lorenz wrote a paper (and also gave a speech) titled “Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly’s Wings in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas?” The Butterfly Effect was born.

7 Reactions and Ideas About Chaos

1. One small action can have a ripple effect. What one small change can you make in your life to have a ripple effect?
2. Small changes can have a huge impact on your end result. You can also take small steps to achieve a cumulative effect.
3. Some things are beyond our control, do not waste time worrying about the things you cannot change. This reminds of the Serenity Prayer.
4. There is order within disorder.
5. In life there are many interconnections and interdependence.
6. What templates can you create to simplify your work and life? Models are created to repeat procedures. Here is Chris Brogan’s post on Automating the Easy Stuff, it may assist you.
7. What data do you have that you can use to forecast trends for your work?

If you cannot view the YouTube video on Chaos Theory click here.

If you cannot view this YouTube video of the Serenity Prayer please click here.

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next. Amen.

ByReinhold Niebuhr

How can you use the idea of Chaos to create something wonderful? Let’s keep the conversation flowing, please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. Many readers read this blog from other sites, so why don’t you pop over to The Invisible Mentor and subscribe (top on the right side) by email or RSS Feed. I created a Mini Learning Toolkit and you can grab a copy by clicking here.

Further Reading

The Butterfly Effect

“Does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?”

Photo Credit: Google via Apture

Video Credit: Apture

Book links are affiliate links.

50 Big Ideas You Really Need to Know by Ben Dupre is the basis for this post.

Related posts:

1. Do You Exploit Chaos?

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