The Chaotic Butterfly of Random Providence
“The flapping of a single butterfly's wing today produces a tiny change in the state of the atmosphere. Over a period of time, what the atmosphere actually does diverges from what it would have done. So, in a month's time, a tornado that would have devastated the Indonesian coast doesn't happen. Or maybe one that wasn't going to happen, does. (Ian Stewart, Does God Play Dice? The Mathematics of Chaos, pg. 141)”
It is interesting how things that may have been random in occurrence, can create unexpected results. For instance, Bubba on his back Porch Blog, made note of the following portion of this website:
“WE DON'T COMB CHICKENS HERE - WE COOK 'EM!”
This eight-word message created for him an enigma, an unknown that was noticed because of his own familiarity with yard birds… or chickens. This led to a curiosity that in turn led to an epiphany, or a realization and then ultimately, satisfaction of solving the mystery.
After reading Bubba’s post there, I was reminded that when I began this blog, it was fully my intention to change that logo marquee on a regular basis, with random quotes or local references that may or may not find some kinship with that day’s topic. But as I became more and more involved in writing the various entries and having such a good time playing with the WTVM Skycam images, it just completely slipped my mind to change the logo.
Now as it happens, I had made the decision early this morning that today’s WTVM Skycam Shot of the Day would be the last of that series, as I have another format in mind for that spot in the blog. But if Bubba had not made mention of the marquee message, I probably still would have not remembered the original plan.
A Butterfly Effect? Chaos Theory? Coincidence? Divine Providence?
You decide.
It is interesting how things that may have been random in occurrence, can create unexpected results. For instance, Bubba on his back Porch Blog, made note of the following portion of this website:
“WE DON'T COMB CHICKENS HERE - WE COOK 'EM!”
This eight-word message created for him an enigma, an unknown that was noticed because of his own familiarity with yard birds… or chickens. This led to a curiosity that in turn led to an epiphany, or a realization and then ultimately, satisfaction of solving the mystery.
After reading Bubba’s post there, I was reminded that when I began this blog, it was fully my intention to change that logo marquee on a regular basis, with random quotes or local references that may or may not find some kinship with that day’s topic. But as I became more and more involved in writing the various entries and having such a good time playing with the WTVM Skycam images, it just completely slipped my mind to change the logo.
Now as it happens, I had made the decision early this morning that today’s WTVM Skycam Shot of the Day would be the last of that series, as I have another format in mind for that spot in the blog. But if Bubba had not made mention of the marquee message, I probably still would have not remembered the original plan.
A Butterfly Effect? Chaos Theory? Coincidence? Divine Providence?
You decide.
posted by Redoubt at 9:12 AM
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