2010-11 Theme
The Butterfly Effect: How What We Do Affects our Community, our World
The term “butterfly effect” comes from a Ray Bradbury science fiction story, “A Sound of Thunder”, and from Edward Lorenz’s research in meteorology, first published in the early 60’s, that led to the development of chaos theory. It refers to the occasional huge effects of even the tiniest actions, often unintended or even unknown, and also unpredictable when they will occur.
Culturally, the butterfly effect has implications for how seemingly insignificant events or actions can have a huge impact on others and society.
Chaos theory is now used not only in meteorology, but also in finance, economics, management, sociology, and throughout mathematics and science to describe complex systems and make predictions.
Chaos Theory Resources
Resources
Butterfly Effect & Chaos Theory Books (PDF)
Chaos Theory Games
Articles:
The meaning of the butterfly
An understandable explanation of chaos theory and critique of its use in popular culture
Teaching and the butterfly effect
List other links to articles.
Books at Piedmont College Library:
[List books available at the Piedmont College library.
Michelle Obama issued a challenge to the students of George Washington University; if they performed 100,000 hours of community service to the greater Washington community, she would speak at their commencement ceremony. The students exceeded the challenge. Ms. Obama detailed the impact the students had on the local and global community and talked about the letters she received from the people that were helped. In her address, she notes how the service of today could very well impact people in future decades. Watch the Video!
The meaning of the butterfly
Why pop culture loves the 'butterfly effect,' and gets it totally wrong From the Boston Globe
Download a Simpsons Episode on the Butterfly Effect
Theme-Related Events
September
9/29 1:00 World Café dessert & discussion: “What Effect Can We Have on the Community?”
Brookside Dining Room, Demorest
October
10/20 12:00 – 4:00 Career Day
Brookside & Fireside, Demorest
November
11/3 12:00 – 4:00 Celebration of the Butterfly Effect:
Concert & Grill Out
Amphitheater (in case of rain Swanson Center), Demorest
The climax of our semester theme: A day devoted to the Butterfly Effect. Join us for a concert by Amy Courts, a contest of students’ creative works on the theme, community service, and alternative classes. From across the college classes will present connections between the courses they are studying and the college theme, the Butterfly Effect.
11/17 11:00 – 1:00 Celebration of the Butterfly Effect
107W Commons, Athens