A Butterfly Effect: Meaning And Origin Revealed

You’ve probably seen the movie and you’ve heard the saying once or twice in conversation. But what is the true meaning and origin of “a butterfly effect?” Let’s find out!

Possible Origins of, ‘A Butterfly Effect’

When considering origins, most consider that the idea of “a butterfly effect” comes from a mathematician and meteorologist named Edward Lorenz. He originally came up with the chaos theory, which considers how minor changes can lead to catastrophic results. There was a scientific document dated 1972 titled, “Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly’s Wings in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas?”

The document goes on to explain how critical a one-minute difference can be. It explains the flaps of butterflies, when synchronized in Brazil, can start a tornado in Texas. Of course, this is false. A variety of weather conditions have to coincide to achieve the chaotic outcome of a tornado. But still, Lorenz’s ideas point to the unpredictability of all life. A split decision one day or a minute late on another day can set off a completely different sequence of events.

Examples of Everyday Use

Over time, “a butterfly effect” has become somewhat common in everyday language. When people talk about the butterfly effect, even if they don’t know it, they’re referencing the ideas in that paper written in 1972. A single moment in time is apparently insignificant, and most people don’t pay much attention. Many run on auto-pilot. But if a choice is made at the right time under the right (or the wrong) circumstances, it could bring life-changing results.

For example, if you meet somebody at a party or just any other event and you make a minor decision like exchanging phone numbers, it could lead to a meaningful and lasting friendship. Or even more. It could lead to a wedding! The same concept applies in a professional setting like a networking gathering. You could find an opportunity when you least expect it, or you could lose an opportunity if you decide not to go to a certain event.

For instance, if you think that recycling the water bottle you just drank from is not going to make a difference, think again. Yes, it is one bottle at a time but worldwide it can accumulate millions daily. The same would work for everyday eating habits. You might think that having that extra dessert on a regular basis is really not a big deal. But more often than not, these small decisions wreak havoc on your health long-term.

What is a Useful Way to Illustrate the Phrase – ‘A Butterfly Effect?’

If you are walking in the park and happen to walk near a blooming garden, you may be inspired to pick a flower. So, you pluck a pretty one, failing to notice there is a bee on it when you do. You transport it home, a bee hidden within the flower’s folds, and suddenly, that bee doesn’t know where home is. A bee can only survive one or two weeks away from its hive. That bee, whose job it is to pollinate, is unable to continue its work following an untimely death.  

When bees pollinate, they don’t just work on flowers. They also work on crops. The fruits and veggies you purchase at the store. Each action you take has an effect on our overall ecosystem. Although it seems harmless to pluck a flower from a blooming garden, in the example above, there was more affected than a single flower. Simple acts have long-winded consequences that you’re not always considering. “A butterfly effect” reminds you to pause and consider what your next action may result in.

A Real-Life Example

A tornado is a perfect example, like in the paper written in 1972. A tornado has to have certain components to form. It needs warm air, humid air to rise and on the other hand, it needs cool air to fall. These small shifts build and can result in the massive tornados you see form that sweep up homes from their foundations, toss cars into the air as if they were toys, and leave wreckage in their wake.

A person who misses the bus that leads to the town where a tornado is forming has just made a seeming mistake. Unable to get to work, they worry about losing their job. Little do they know that the extra two minutes it took them to get to the bus were two critical minutes that saved their life. Later, they find out the tornado ripped through the building they would have been in. “A butterfly effect” reminds us of the fragility of life.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Justin Meissen from St Paul, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 – License / Original