CompuServe Messages

James, PMJI and PMCY <Pardon My Contradicting You> <g> but I don't think that Chaos theory really "suggests that the universe is a chain of mathematically unpredictable events that ultimatley lead to disorganization." What Chaos theory REALLY says is that there IS ORDER in events which might at first seem random. That there is a specific reason and point at which a system might change from linear to non-linear (chaotic). That while specific events may be unpredictable over the long term, short-term events and medium-term trends CAN be predicted with reasonable accuracy. In fact, many (though not all) GOOD events/systems are those that ARE chaotic. For example, a heart-attack (ie the transition from sinus rythmn to fibrillation) is an example of BAD chaos (a linear system becoming non-linear). On the other hand, one's brainwave activity while solving a problem is highly-chaotic — and this is good. In fact, studies show that a normal person's brain waves are chaotic and their heart functions are linear. That same person, under the influence of drugs (I don't remember for sure, but I THINK it was cocaine) shows a LINEAR brain wave and a CHAOTIC heart rythmn. There are some med schools where they've got chaos theorists working with cardiologists! I'd really recommend picking up James Gleik's book on Chaos. It's a pretty easy read, and VERY interesting. Also, there was a NOVA episode several years ago that you might be able to find. Chaos theory, IMHO, is more a COMFORT than a threat. Dave