2006-08-25 19:19:49 · 12 answers · asked by rabble rouser 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Uh, if you are talking about the physical effect known as chaos by which certain values of the lyapunov exponent mean that there is an exponential change in the difference between states, then YES.
Get a double pendulum and watch it in action!
2006-08-25 19:26:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. We are all interconnected, and any changes no matter how small, will affect everyone. Walk down the street and smile at a person who is suicidal, they may feel better about themselves enough not to kill themselves, the person's spouse wouldn't suffer. Because the spouse didn't fall prey to depression, they get a promotion at work, which puts them in a commanding position, who hires on new workers which makes others happy, who spend money, which keeps a store in business.
In al that mess above see what such a small thing could do? The effects could be negative or positive, but even the smallest of things can radically change the world around you. If one were to go back in time, and change ANYTHING, no matter how inane, or small...you will radically change the world as we know it. =))
2006-08-26 02:32:53 · answer #2 · answered by Slipshade 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I remember one small comment made to me by an old roommate. He probably doesn't even remember it. It was prompted by something that I said first, but that he misunderstood.
That accidental and insignificant comment has had quite a profound influence on my life. It has increased my own self-confidence, faith, and compassion a great amound, among other things. I have seen the positive effects that I have had on other people, especially the kids that I used to work with as a camp counselor, that never would have happened if it hadn't been for that change in me.
So yeah, I think so, and there's one small example, that I'm sure I haven't described all the way to the end.
2006-08-26 02:29:37 · answer #3 · answered by enaronia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you're referring to a time traveler going back in time and killing a butterfly, and that action radically changing the future, then yes, it's plausible. However, that presumes that time travel is a viable theory. I don't happen to believe that it is, but it makes for interesting sci-fi novels and movies.
2006-08-26 02:25:07 · answer #4 · answered by Jolly 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I believe in it -- things like nuclear fission, falling dominoes, snowballing out of control, vicious circle, spiral downwards... etc.
2006-08-26 02:51:17 · answer #5 · answered by : ) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, a cashier in a grocery store get's mad and yells, the customer gets mad, then while driving honks his horn at someone else and that person gets mad, then he goes to the airport and yells at the ticket counter lady, and somehow it all ends up in the middle east.
2006-08-26 09:40:43 · answer #6 · answered by StealthShadow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely. everything has a tie to everything else, and ever action ripples down.
fyi, its also called the chaos theory.
2006-08-26 02:54:02 · answer #7 · answered by Jez 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ohhh yesss...strange effect on me.
2006-08-26 02:24:19 · answer #8 · answered by cascadingrainbows 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
butterflies on your stomach? or the "butterfly effect theory"?
pls. be specific....
2006-08-26 02:28:01 · answer #9 · answered by Urban Hermit 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Got that right, keen indeed. Don't forget that ever! ...I know coming from me that seems lame, but lame people exist.
2006-08-26 02:38:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋