Chaos Theory

koan · Post by **koan** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:36 pm

I watched a program in which they consulted with a woman who specialized in chaos theory. She was explaining her perspective on something or another. What I mostly remember is thinking "Holy ****, that's cool. I have to read about chaos theory." So here I am looking it up.

Most people have heard about the butterfly effect, wherein Ashton Kutcher finds out that if he changes any tiny thing in history everything else changes Chaos theory was discovered by accident when a scientist working on predicting weather left his computer alone with partial data.

I've just started reading a primer page here. Join me if you can. I haven't much time to post (because I'm reading about obscure things that will likely not ever prove useful in my life) so I'm just letting you know what I'm up to.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 12:42 am

Koan, I went to an evening lecture here a couple of years ago at the Science and Technology centre and the subject was the Chaos Theory and it touched on fractals too. I was totally bowled over, and have had a different perspective on a lot of things ever since. Very very heady stuff.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 8:45 am

I bought a book, maybe 5 years ago now. The Elegant Universe by Dr. Brian Greene.

I still havent finished it. The read for me is one paragraph at a time, then a series of migraines followed by a sincere attempt to comprehend.

I keep trying because I desperately want to understand but Im afraid the battle is a lost cause.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:45 am

I've always felt that there was underlying order to everything even when we can't perceive it. I'm glad I have the link here so it reminds me to keep reading.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:55 am

Fractals are everywhere in nature, and other numerical sequences show up also. I keep building a large powerpoint I show my science classes on Pi Day (3.14) every year, because you can keep finding them throughout nature.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:41 am

My brain hurts just think about the "Chaos Theory". :-3

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 12:53 pm

My father was a mathematician and found amazing delight in abstract ideas way beyond my understanding. Still a little bit of that gene must have somehow transferred to my single blonde neuron.... like a tiny moth fluttering its prehistoric wings as it struggled towards the light of that beautiful, infinite coastline.....

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:35 pm

AussiePam;769905 wrote: My father was a mathematician and found amazing delight in abstract ideas way beyond my understanding. Still a little bit of that gene must have somehow transferred to my single blonde neuron.... like a tiny moth fluttering its prehistoric wings as it struggled towards the light of that beautiful, infinite coastline.....

Jersey ?

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:24 pm

Could be, but the Channel Island or the Shore?

Did anyone see the television series 'Bergerac' set, wonderfully but probably not really chaotically, on the first?

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 11:12 pm

Nomad;770051 wrote: Jersey ?

Hey Nomie, Noo Joisey is good, yes it is....What's up with ya and NJ

Weees be good here....

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 11:47 pm

You sure do be good there, Kathy. And anyone who says different could end up with concrete shoes, capeesh.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 12:28 am

AussiePam;770090 wrote: You sure do be good there, Kathy. And anyone who says different could end up with concrete shoes, capeesh.

Yeee haaa there Aussie Pam, thanks:-4

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 12:51 am

No problemo, Sista!! :sneaky: