According to our theory, this man is responsible for the Chilean copper shortage. Or is it that Chile is responsible for What Happens in Vegas?
“The Butterfly Effect” is a highbrow term used in chaos theory that, over the years, with help from such luminaries as Ashton Kutcher, has made its way down to us common folk via a simple formula: If a butterfly flaps its wings in (insert far-off locale), then (insert catastrophic event) will occur in (insert place much closer).
The idea is fairly easy to understand, at least after a few drinks: one seemingly inconsequential action can have far-reaching and unpredictable consequences. And it appears that a serious bout of butterfly flapping in Chile has taken its toll on our quaint little hamlet. …
This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2008.