6. Recognizing the Butterfly Effect in Our Lives

In science there is often discussion around the link between stochasticity (random chance) and determinism. Despite being impulse-driven, their individual decisions could still be considered “random”. For example, take a rabbit hopping across a field. From the rabbit’s perspective, it is the right thing to do, therefore not random in relation to itself. However, if time was reset to exactly the point prior to deciding to cross the field, would the rabbit cross the field again? There's no assurance that the rabbit will cross it again. Despite the fact that the decision was reasoned, the idea that it is not strictly determined requires us to admit stochasticity. The very fact that the rabbit may not cross the field displays this phenomenon. The reasons why we make decisions aren't random to us, however the possibility that in an alternate universe we could have made different decisions proves there exists an inherent randomness in decisions.

However, although decisions can be random, their consequences are not. This is the reason why science can exist. The scientific method assumes (with good reason) that given the same decisions in the same environment, we would expect the same consequences.

So entertain this thought with me. Imagine a single butterfly, fluttering through the ancient Mesozoic. It decides to land on a particular flower and is consequently consumed by a predator. This event in itself, seemingly insignificant, may have set in motion exponentially larger consequences further down the line. Imagine with me, the extra protein from the butterfly helped this predator build just enough muscle mass to secure its next successful hunt. Over time, it reared the most prominent progeny in the area by virtue of abundance. Over time, these animals greatly extended their geographical footprint and influence. All because one butterfly decided to feed upon a particular flower.

Of course this is purely hypothetical, but the point still stands. Small factors that determine the initial conditions may profoundly influence the outcomes of consequent states. The reason for this is partly explained by chaos theory (entropic tendency), but let's take an easier example. In the mathematics of weather simulation modelling, even minor differences in the initial conditions can lead to huge differences in outcome. The tornado two Provinces down may have been profoundly influenced by the flap of a goose’s wing creating minor perturbations in the air many miles away.

What we can take away from this is that outcomes are much more sensitive to small individual decisions than we might think. In other words, we have to acknowledge, whether we feel it or not, our decisions have a bigger impact than we naturally project. Similar to ripples in the water, our decision's consequences spread outward and influence our lives. This consequence chain of influence is a testament to the deep interconnected of life. The decisions we make today indirectly affect our tomorrow. The small insignificant waves we are making today may become the tsunamis that crash down us months down the line. And not only that, our decisions profoundly influence the lives of others. Our decisions carry far, therefore we should be mindful and wise when making them.

Think about children. Their living conditions while growing up are almost entirely determined by their parent's past and current decisions. Think about how that affects the next generation. The words you say, the attitudes you carry as parents, teachers, influencers, bosses, pastors, leaders carry immense weight.

Let's not get carried away by non-linear determinative ideas and second guess every decision we make. Let's also not get hasty and over-analyze “first causes” and jump to conclusions. Instead imagine this with me. Imagine if everyone, before making decisions stopped to appreciate that their choices matter. They matter because people are ultimately affected by them, for better or for worse. What if everyone stopped to recognize the butterfly effect? What if people were more mindful of their potential to influence? Would it change anything?

I think it would.