From classic literature to myth and legend, butterflies are the stuff that symbolism is made of, rich in the idea that one has emerged from growing within a cocoon to fly freely and gracefully.  Beautiful, right? So, now, what is the Butterfly Effect?

but·ter·fly ef·fect: the phenomenon whereby a small change at one place in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere, e.g., a butterfly flapping its wings in Rio de Janeiro might change the weather in Chicago.

Damien Hirst Butterflies

So, following this logic, everything that we do in our daily lives (within the complex system of humanity operating at large) will have profound effects on people elsewhere.  This one concept has made me far more eco-conscious (could the pollution I cause contribute to starvation or no water supply in another country?), more divinely inspired by nature (every flapping wing can have a huge effect on our planet!) and more aware of my good (& bad!) deeds… I wonder what you think of the Butterfly Effect?