h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What is the Chaos Theory I hear so much about?

Chaos theory is a form of mathematics that uses extremely complex formulas in order to predict seemingly chaotic/random patterns using fractals. It is used in predicting weather patterns and stock market changes

One way of explain it is imagine a running tap. When it is running slow you see a smooth surface on the water. When you turn up the pressure it becomes more and more irregular until it is all over the place. Give it a try. This is turbulence. Chaos mathematics can predict this kind of event.

The classic explaination is the butterfly effect. If a butterfly flaps it wings in china can it create a tornado in Kansas? Chaos says yes. You see the small amount of wind created by the butter could, in theory, create a kind of snowball affect in the worlds weather pattern. Very unlikely though.
If you are interested there is a book available called "Introducing Chaos" which is part of a series of "Introducing" books which cover most Science / philosopy stuff.

I always thought it used seemingly simple formulas which generate the complex patterns.
Another good book is Chaos by James Gleik.

You might be right but I couldn't figure them out. Which is why I am not a mathematician. PAnts

I suppose that you are might be right in that they really are complex formulas.

I'm not sure whether to type this in case I cause an earthquake in Tibet. Hang on I'll work it out. 2+2-84/76*4 = No earthquake.... phew *wipes sweat from brow*

Ok, but who posted what, where, and cause the earthquake in Warwick. (And why was I asleep at the time?)

OOOooops Sorry I opened the fridge.

Stop it! My head is starting to hurt!

It's probably because someone in Morroco coughed. I hate it when that happens.

If I had not
posted this
message
the cumulative
affects would
have mounted
up and in
2007 there
would have
been an earth
quake that
killed us all.

JK (the wise)

Thank you! Now I'm sure this day was not lost!

Why have u
lost days
on prevous
ocations?
If so i
surjest
keeping them on
a chain.
Or refaining
from drugs.

Jk

Hmm, it is not unlikely that a butterfly causes a storm in Kansas. I think that would be wrong to say. It could happen, but it would be very hard to find out. The main thing is that a simple thing can have a large effect. And it might as well be a butterfly as a fridge. Personally I have chaos theories giving me trouble, because every time something bad happens to me I can´t help but wonder if I had just done a really little thing different the day before, it might neevr have happened. Can really crack you up.

By not posting for
a bit i have averted
a 7th world war
from occuring.

yes that may be the case, but are you sure that by posting you haven't caused something else to happen. It would seem the bad side of chaos theory is that all actions have reactions so you may have averted a seventh world war but in doing so may have doomed the earth to be destroyed by an asteroid, what think you?

The sky is falling in tonight and its all JKs fault.