Chaos theory is a wondrous and rebellious topic inflamed against the pristine confines of an imaginary Euclidean universe. Coincidently, the prologue of the novel Jasmine by Bharati Mukherjee features a quote from a book that opened my rebellious mathematical mind’s eye.
“The new geometry mirrors a universe that is rough, not rounded, scabrous, not smooth. It is a geometry of the pitted, pocked, and broken up, the twisted, tangled, and intertwined.” James Gleick, Chaos: Making a New Science
Since before the time of Euclid, scientists and mathematicians have attempted to discover the essence of the universe in its simplest mathematical form. With correct assumptions, truth in its purest form can describe phenomena as complicated as relativity with as few as three variables. However, the real world is unpredictable, complex, and interconnected. Chaos theory is new language invented to describe a world that cannot be simplified as in Euclidean geometry.
"Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly's Wings in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas?” Edward Lorenz
The old narrative was linear, simplified, easy to understand. The new narrative is complex, and requires a new language to capture fully. Mukherjee is basically saying, pay attention, follow me, I will lead you through an intertwined narrative that describes the interdependencies and self similarities of the real world through the life of a Hasnapur exile.
“Time will tell if I am a tornado, rubble-maker, arising from nowhere and disappearing into a cloud” (241).
From the day Jasmine met the astrologer under the banyan tree in the village of Hasnapur, there could have been no accurate prediction foretold of the intricacies of her life. Life is complex and difficult to predict, but at its core, the astrologer accurately described the reoccurring texture of Jasmine’s life. In chaos theory, this is referred to as self similarity.
Edward Lorenz, the father of chaos theory and the butterfly effect, died last week at the age of 90.
6 comments on Butterfly Effect
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I really like your blog; it’s unique and has depth. Good Job!!
i enjoyed reading your blog. It differs greatly from the others I've read.
"The new narrative is complex, and requires a new language to capture fully. Mukherjee is basically saying, pay attention, follow me, I will lead you through an intertwined narrative that describes the interdependencies and self similarities of the real world through the life of a Hasnapur exile."
I agree with this statement, since the book was so chaotic, but she lead the reader throughout making sure they never lost their way. After I was finished with the book I was looking back at quotes and gathering an analysis realizing that the book should of started around chapter 10!
Good blog
-Mike
I really like how you accentuate your quotes using a different color font. It really differentiates between your textual analysis and the support from outside sources.
Great post!! I'll have to stop by more often.. thanks for the thought-provoking entry! (thumbs up)