The butterfly effect highlights sensitivity to initial conditions from "summary" of Chaos by James Gleick
The flapping of a butterfly's wings in Brazil can set off a tornado in Texas. This image is not just a poetic metaphor; it captures the essence of chaos theory. The idea that small changes in initial conditions can lead to vastly different outcomes is at the heart of the butterfly effect. In chaotic systems, tiny variations in the starting state can ripple outwards, magnifying over time into significant differences in the final state. The sensitivity to initial conditions is a fundamental aspect of chaos theory. It means that even the slightest perturbation can lead to dramatic changes in the system's behavior. This sensitivity is what makes chaotic systems so unpredictable and difficult to control. It also highlights the limitations of traditional deterministic models, which assume that precise knowledge of t...
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