Chaos Theory (S/F) / (S/F-S)

Chaos theory is a field of mathematics which describes the behavior of complex systems as impacted by their initial conditions. It has applications in many fields of science: physics, meteorology, engineering, economics, biology, sociology, and philosophy, among others. Chaos theory describes the apparent randomness of nature as being controlled by underlying patterns, feedback loops, repetition, and other effects. A classic example is the butterfly effect; the minute displacement of air caused by the flapping of a butterfly’s wings could be enough to affect what type of weather occurs elsewhere in the world. This makes any natural system inherently unpredictable, and complicates long-term forecasting. Chaos is defined by mathematician Edward Lorenz as “when the present determines the future, but the approximate present determines the approximate future.”

The more chaotic a system (meaning, the more sensitive the system is to its initial conditions), the more difficult it will be to make an accurate prediction about the future of that system. In effect, an increased number of variables within the system will decrease the accuracy of specific predictions.

As applied to InGen Technologies

American mathematician and “chaotician” Dr. Ian Malcolm was heavily critical of the Jurassic Park project in 1993, with many of his arguments based in chaos theory. De-extinction was still a fairly new field of science and technology, having existed for less than ten years. Nevertheless, InGen acted as though they had all of the details figured out; most of their employees were fairly confident that the results of de-extinction could be predicted with enough accuracy to feature the organisms in a safari park. Most of Dr. Malcolm’s criticisms centered around this assumption of control. Paleontologists Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler concurred with Dr. Malcolm, providing examples of InGen making judgment calls regarding the animals and plants of the island without having full knowledge of the possible effects. The chaotic nature of Isla Nublar, as well as other InGen ventures, resulted in a lack of predictability that caused many problems for the people and other organisms involved.

These unforeseen variables included:

Jurassic Park
  • Intelligence in the animals, particularly problem-solving capabilities of Velociraptor
  • Previously unknown biological features in the animals, such as the venom in Dilophosaurus and Troodon
  • Gastrolith consumption in herbivores resulting in accidental consumption of poisonous plants
  • Susceptibility of de-extinct organisms to extant pathogens such as the common cold virus
  • Unintentional mutations caused by genetic hybridization, resulting in unforeseen biological traits
  • Animals adapting to mutated effects, such as protogyny permitting some to breed
  • The possibility of disgruntled employees committing corporate espionage
  • Rapidity with which animals would escape confinement if given the opportunity
  • Adverse weather conditions occurring at an inopportune time
  • Malfunction of the geothermal power plant
1997 Hunter Expedition
  • Natural resources rendering the lysine contingency useless
  • The possibility that John Hammond would send a team to counteract that sent by Peter Ludlow
  • Behavior of dinosaurs under stressful conditions
  • Extent of parental behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex
  • Pack-hunting behavior in Compsognathus
  • Sabotage performed for reasons of environmental activism
  • Irrational behavior due to ophidiophobia
  • Staff not knowing the proper drug dosage for an adult male Tyrannosaurus rex
Continued activity on Isla Sorna
  • Environmental effects of a rapid population influx
  • Unintentional genetic hybridization
  • Territorial patterns of dinosaurs following abandonment of the island
  • Possibility of illegal ecotourism on Isla Sorna
  • Integration of de-extinct organisms into modern-day ecosystems
  • Extent of parental behavior in Velociraptor
  • Unknown-at-the-time aquatic habitat of Spinosaurus
  • Poaching in the Muertes Archipelago
  • Failure of the Site B Aviary gate latch
  • Migratory patterns of escaped Pteranodons
Jurassic World
  • Vulnerability of aviary structure to aggressive Pteranodons
  • Accidental creation of mutagen affecting indigenous cyanobacteria, causing harmful acid content
  • Technological malfunction due to adverse weather conditions
  • Possibility of corporate espionage and theft
  • Unpredictable or undesirable behavior in animals
  • Continuous exposure to de-extinction reducing overall public interest and harming profits
  • Increasing presence of InGen on the corporate and political stage, particularly in warfare and peacekeeping
  • Indominus rex possessing unexpected physiological traits
  • High intelligence of Indominus rex resulting in unexpected behavior
  • Unexpected complexity of Velociraptor social behavior
  • Possibility that communication in Velociraptor is innately understood rather than learned
  • Insubordination and corruption from within InGen
  • Behavior of Pteranodon and Dimorphodon as a result of long-term stress
  • Length of time Mosasaurus can survive without food
  • Retention of feeding-show routine conditioning in Mosasaurus
  • Unexpected ability of Troodon and Velociraptor to communicate
  • Unexpected occurrence of parthenogenesis in Troodon
Incident involving dinosaur extraction from Isla Nublar
  • Pathology of de-extinct life in unnatural conditions
  • Illegal ecotourism and poaching on Isla Nublar
  • Uncertain lifespan of animals outside their natural environment
  • Effects of unnatural environment on animal behavior patterns
  • Unpredictable changes to geological conditions and their effects on ecosystems
  • Breakdown of technology over time due to lack of maintenance
  • Date and time at which Mount Sibo‘s magma chamber would be breached
  • Abnormal animal behavior due to geological activity
  • Secrecy and alternate motives between Benjamin Lockwood and Eli Mills
  • Unexpected human behavior
  • Speed at which Owen Grady would recover from a partial dose of carfentanil
  • Possibility of Claire Dearing, Owen Grady, and Franklin Webb surviving attempted murder
  • Indoraptor exhibiting unpredictable behavior due to high intelligence
  • Lack of empathy and unusual aggression in Indoraptor due to lack of parental care
  • Unintended damage to Lockwood Estate laboratory resulting in hydrogen cyanide leak
  • Unplanned release of captured animals
  • Migratory patterns of de-extinct animals outside of the Gulf of Fernandez
  • Unpredictable behaviors of humans and de-extinct animals randomly encountering each other
  • Released animals’ lack of learned fear of humans

Disambiguation Links

Chaos Theory (C/N)