Chaos Theory father Edward Lorenz has died

*Raph's Girl* · 04-16-2008, 06:13 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080416/sc_nm/lorenz_dc_1

Edward Lorenz, the father of chaos theory, who showed how small actions could lead to major changes in what became known as the "butterfly effect," died of cancer on Wednesday at the age of 90, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said.

Lorenz, a meteorologist, figured out in the 1960s that small differences in a dynamic system such as the atmosphere could set off enormous changes. In 1972 he presented a study entitled "Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly's Wings in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas?"

Born in 1917 in West Hartford, Connecticut, Lorenz earned degrees in mathematics from Dartmouth College in 1938, from Harvard University in 1940, and degrees in meteorology from MIT in 1943 and 1948.

While serving as a weather forecaster for the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War Two, he decided to study meteorology.

"As a boy I was always interested in doing things with numbers, and was also fascinated by changes in the weather," Lorenz wrote in an autobiography.

"By showing that certain deterministic systems have formal predictability limits, Lorenz put the last nail in the coffin of the Cartesian universe and fomented what some have called the third scientific revolution of the 20th century, following on the heels of relativity and quantum physics," said Kerry Emanuel, professor of atmospheric science at MIT.

"He was also a perfect gentleman, and through his intelligence, integrity and humility set a very high standard for his and succeeding generations," Emanuel added in a statement.

In 1991, Lorenz won the Kyoto Prize for basic sciences in the field of earth and planetary sciences.

The prize committee said Lorenz "made his boldest scientific achievement in discovering 'deterministic chaos,' a principle which has profoundly influenced a wide range of basic sciences and brought about one of the most dramatic changes in mankind's view of nature since Sir Isaac Newton."

Lorenz, who enjoyed hiking and cross-country skiing, stayed active until two weeks before his death at home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, his family said. He is survived by three children and four grandchildren.

*Voltron* · 04-19-2008, 10:46 PM

You know, if a butterfly had flapped its wings in Hong Kong, I still wouldn't have given a damn?

CHAOS THEORY!

*Warhorse* · 04-26-2008, 11:46 PM

I remember when this stuff became really popular thanks to Michael Crichton. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Michael Crichton's character Ian Malcolm of Jurassic Park, was based on Edward Lorenz.

愛 · 04-27-2008, 08:04 AM

I've dealt with some chaos theory in my study of Physics. It's mostly found when dealing with a differential equation, where if certain initial conditions are applied, the result in graph form doesn't appear to be what you expect. For example, you're expecting a circle, but end up with what appears to resemble "butterfly wings." The butterfly wings example is the most common in chaos theory. Scientists and mathematicians have been researching this for a while, but are unable to figure out why this happens....hence chaos theory.

...but anyway, too bad he died?

04-16-2008, 06:13 PM	#1
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	Chaos Theory father Edward Lorenz has died http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080416/sc_nm/lorenz_dc_1 Edward Lorenz, the father of chaos theory, who showed how small actions could lead to major changes in what became known as the "butterfly effect," died of cancer on Wednesday at the age of 90, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said. Lorenz, a meteorologist, figured out in the 1960s that small differences in a dynamic system such as the atmosphere could set off enormous changes. In 1972 he presented a study entitled "Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly's Wings in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas?" Born in 1917 in West Hartford, Connecticut, Lorenz earned degrees in mathematics from Dartmouth College in 1938, from Harvard University in 1940, and degrees in meteorology from MIT in 1943 and 1948. While serving as a weather forecaster for the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War Two, he decided to study meteorology. "As a boy I was always interested in doing things with numbers, and was also fascinated by changes in the weather," Lorenz wrote in an autobiography. "By showing that certain deterministic systems have formal predictability limits, Lorenz put the last nail in the coffin of the Cartesian universe and fomented what some have called the third scientific revolution of the 20th century, following on the heels of relativity and quantum physics," said Kerry Emanuel, professor of atmospheric science at MIT. "He was also a perfect gentleman, and through his intelligence, integrity and humility set a very high standard for his and succeeding generations," Emanuel added in a statement. In 1991, Lorenz won the Kyoto Prize for basic sciences in the field of earth and planetary sciences. The prize committee said Lorenz "made his boldest scientific achievement in discovering 'deterministic chaos,' a principle which has profoundly influenced a wide range of basic sciences and brought about one of the most dramatic changes in mankind's view of nature since Sir Isaac Newton." Lorenz, who enjoyed hiking and cross-country skiing, stayed active until two weeks before his death at home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, his family said. He is survived by three children and four grandchildren. __________________

04-19-2008, 10:46 PM	#2
Voltron Handsomest Boy in School Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Realm of SJW Posts: 4,642	You know, if a butterfly had flapped its wings in Hong Kong, I still wouldn't have given a damn? CHAOS THEORY! __________________ I AM FOR ACTUAL! . . . and the White Savior. . . and the Right Hand of God. . .

04-26-2008, 11:46 PM	#3
Warhorse Emperor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 5,544	I remember when this stuff became really popular thanks to Michael Crichton. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Michael Crichton's character Ian Malcolm of Jurassic Park, was based on Edward Lorenz.

04-27-2008, 08:04 AM	#4
愛 Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 7,449	I've dealt with some chaos theory in my study of Physics. It's mostly found when dealing with a differential equation, where if certain initial conditions are applied, the result in graph form doesn't appear to be what you expect. For example, you're expecting a circle, but end up with what appears to resemble "butterfly wings." The butterfly wings example is the most common in chaos theory. Scientists and mathematicians have been researching this for a while, but are unable to figure out why this happens....hence chaos theory. ...but anyway, too bad he died?