Living At The Edge of Chaos
Contemporary life is beset with strife. Whether it is right wing vs left wing; globalisation vs localisation; organisation vs self-organisation… false dichotomies and deep polarisation abound and a middle path remains evasive. To live at the edge of chaos is a coveted place to be in but is a misunderstood expression.Â
When Edward Lorenz — considered as the father of modern meteorology — accidentally discovered in the early ‘60s how minute changes in weather conditions could lead to disproportionate changes in weather patterns, he paved the way for articulation of ‘chaos theory’. Accompanying this development was the arising of terms such as ‘butterfly effect’ alluding that the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil could set-off a tornado in Texas.
Science has been the torch bearer of causality but ‘chaos theory’ introduces a counter-balance and reworks the notion of causality earlier formulated based on the limited understanding of gross, visible connections and ignoring the existence of subtleties. ‘Chaos theory’ is a landmark achievement of twentieth-century science but its ramifications are only now seeping into the mainstream. By ignoring non-linear science and thinking exclusively in linear terms, we run the risk of being caught unawares of situations and events that can be metaphorically described as the ‘straw that breaks the camel’s back.’
This workshop serves as an introduction to ‘chaos theory’ and will cover its academic and practical aspects. Participants will be exposed to the theoretical concepts of zones, attractors and rules and how ‘chaos theory’ can be applied in the fields of economics, ecology, population growth, political science, weather and the human psyche. Of particular interest to participants is shedding light on resolving the conflict between ‘free will’ or one’s own volition and ‘determinism’ or the absence of free will.
The workshop will be facilitated by Shakti Saran, Founder Shaktify. A breakout room discussion and sharing in plenary follows an initial presentation. Participants will be able to debate and discuss learnings from this workshop with the aim of understanding the touch points of non-linear science in one’s daily professional, social and personal lives.
