Guest Post: The Butterfly Effect

“For the want of a nail the shoe was lost,

For the want of a shoe the horse was lost,

For the want of a horse the rider was lost,

For the want of a rider the battle was lost,

For the want of a battle the kingdom was lost,

And all for the want of a horseshoe-nail.” 

-- Benjamin Franklin

Note to my readers:  The following is a guest post written by Teresa Blaney, who, by her own admission, felt a need to get on her "soapbox" and address a concern.  While I neither agree nor disagree with her concerns, it sure does make one sit up and think.  What is the "red line" we mustn't cross when we begin mass use of new technology to make our lives better?  Does science even know?  And, if they don't, if they haven't even considered a "red line" of caution, should this lack of concern, in itself, be of some concern?  

I think most of us have been more concerned about cow farts and pig poop increasing methane in our atmosphere than wind turbines, unless they obstruct the view of our multi-million dollar beach house (methane obstructs nothing, but it does heighten our gag reflex).

This guest offering is humorous, but it also makes one think.  Thanks to Terry for allowing me to repost it from her social media page.  I hope you enjoy the read!

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Per Wikipedia: “In chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions in which a small change in one state of a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences in a later state.”

In layman’s terms as I understand it:

The flapping a butterfly’s wings can influence our weather patterns. For example: severe storms, tornadoes, even hurricanes can all begin with but the flap of a single butterfly’s wings made thousands of miles away.

Now, having said that. Recently when I was flying to visit family, my flight took me up to Minnesota first before changing planes to go down to Miami, FL and then changing planes yet again to fly back north to Orlando, FL. As we were approaching the airport in Minnesota I looked out my window and saw miles and miles and miles of windmills. I thought, “Wow! This is really neat.” Uh, huh – hold that thought.

I just heard on the news this morning about a new “wind farm” that is going to be created along the coastline of one of our Great Lakes. Wow! This is really great, right? Then, in the very next segment of the news they started showing pictures of the weather forecast map for the U.S., Mexico, and Caribbean ~ and it didn’t look too good. They began to start talking about severe storm systems, massive flooding, tornadoes, possible hurricanes, etc. ~ OMG!

Something niggled at the back of my brain, so I did a little research.

Per Wikipedia: “A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electricity. A large windfarm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other purposes.”

Here is my thinking ~ and I would love for someone to correct me if I am wrong in my reasoning here. If the flap of butterfly’s wings can very possibly influence our weather conditions, which would include the formation of severe storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes ~ WHAT do we think the creation of hundreds, maybe even thousands, of “wind farms” popping up all over the U.S. will do? Right now, 48 of our states not only have wind farms already in use, but are in the process of constructing many, many more. Granted, I am not an engineer nor am I in possession of a PhD in physics, but somehow it just boggles my mind. It defies logic.

How ~ accepting what we think we know about the “butterfly effect” on nature and weather patterns… HOW could we possibly also think that by creating farms of windmills throughout the globe, that we are not negatively affecting and changing our climate in our zeal to “create clean energy” and “save the planet?”

Just a thought.

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So, what does this have to do with a person's personal path?  Well, we should all be concerned about the health of our planet, no matter how minute.  Also, our attitudes and emotions, no matter how insignificant they may seem, can be the impetus for changing the attitudes, emotions, and lives of those around us, which may affect those around them, etc., etc., like a ripple in a pond.  We must always be cognizant of what we say and do to ensure we keep the ripples down to a small typhoon.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with a world renowned Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.

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