If you would like to explore these ideas while observing the night sky, you can also discover our astronomy experiences in rural accommodations, where observing the deep sky with telescopes meets reflection about the universe and the cosmos.
When we look at the universe on large scales, we realise that it is not distributed uniformly but forms a structure remarkably similar to a cosmic web, with filaments of dark matter connecting galaxies and clusters.
This pattern has been confirmed by simulations such as the Millennium Simulation and by studies carried out by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which have revealed a large-scale network of cosmic structures. Dark matter, which we cannot see but which exerts an essential gravitational influence, represents about 27% of the universe. Dark energy, which drives the accelerated expansion of the cosmos, accounts for 68%. And ordinary matter, which forms stars, planets, and everything we perceive, represents only 5%.
This cosmic web reminds us of other patterns observed in nature, such as the neural networks that shape our brain or the weather systems of Earth, where a small variation can trigger large changes. This analogy leads us to a fascinating question: could there be a deeper interconnection between the cosmos and our everyday actions?
The butterfly effect, a concept originating in chaos theory, suggests that small changes in a system can trigger large consequences over time. The term was popularised by meteorologist Edward Lorenz in the 1960s, when he discovered that small errors in the initial conditions of a meteorological model could lead to significant changes in the final results. His famous metaphor — that the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil could cause a tornado in the United States — illustrates how a small and seemingly insignificant action can alter the evolution of a complex system.
Although the butterfly effect originated in meteorology, its scope has extended to other fields such as biology, economics, and even sociology. In these areas, small events can generate global changes. In our daily lives, this can be seen in how small actions — such as a casual conversation, a personal choice, or an unexpected decision — may have a multiplier effect on our personal trajectory and on society as a whole.
If the universe follows these same self-organising principles that we observe in nature, perhaps our thoughts, words, and actions influence, even subtly, the evolution of this universal network. Just as small changes in the initial parameters of a system can alter its dynamics, we may also be influencing — without realising it — the processes that govern the universe.
PROS
The idea of interconnection suggests that every action, no matter how small, has meaning.
It can encourage a more responsible attitude towards our actions and thoughts.
This perspective connects science and philosophy, promoting a holistic view of reality.
It invites us to reconsider our relationship with the universe.
CONS
There is currently no scientific evidence showing that human consciousness directly influences the universe on cosmic scales.
The complexity of the butterfly effect makes it difficult to apply to cosmic scales.
It may lead to speculative interpretations without solid empirical evidence.
Conclusion
This vision invites us to reflect on our role in the universe: are we merely spectators of its vastness, or part of a network of subtle influences, where even our smallest thoughts and actions might have an impact?
If the universe indeed follows self-organising principles, and every particle can influence the global evolution, then our lives, actions, and decisions may carry more significance than we imagine.
If one day you wish to observe this universe with your own eyes, you can do so through our astronomy experiences in rural accommodations, where science, territory, and the night sky meet beneath a Starlight sky.
Kilian Vindel – Starlight Certification · 16/03/2025
