The butterfly effect is most commonly referenced as a part of chaos theory; it is the idea that a seemingly trivial action or change in one thing or place (such as the flapping of a butterfly’s wing) can result in a very non-linear and much larger change (such as a tornado) elsewhere. In this respect, the term is most directly associated with mathematician and meteorologist Edward Norton Lorenz, although he originally referenced a seagull flapping its wings to produce the change but was persuaded to change it to butterfly as the latter sounded more “poetic”, and the core idea goes back much further than Lorenz.
Within Second Life, the name has been selected by Vally Lavender for a full region she has designed along with Megan Prumier. However, the name should not be taken to mean that either Vally or Megan are offering any form of visual treatise on the effect itself – although one might be fooled into believing this might be the case when arriving at the region’s landing point (if you have local sounds on – and you should for a visit – just make sure the volume is turned down a little when teleporting into the region – the sound scape at the landing point is a little loud). Rather, they have sought to create a region which can mix themes, roles, outlooks and ideas – and perhaps offer a challenge to us in terms of who we are: change one thing, change everything.
This challenge is displayed at the landing point, sitting on the side of a large stone archway. Walk under it and – literally – into the light, and you will be collision teleported to the first of two settings located within the region. In doing so, the purpose of the region is revealed: to provide a locations that is photogenic, largely open to exploration by visitors, a potential home to those who might wish to live within it, and a club / event venue.
Called Chaos Theory in keeping with the overall theme, this first setting has been built by Megan. It takes the form of a rooftop environment over a city somewhere; a place where the building are so closely packed, it appears the gaps between them have been built over using decks and walkways to provide a new and continuous living and social space for the locals. Within it might be found shops, places of business, a café, places to live (including actual rental apartments scattered around – so please watch for the signs and be careful to avoid trespass onto people’s private retreats), places to sit and pass the time, and a lot to see and possibly photograph.
One of the largest open spaces within the setting is the open-air club space, which I understand will be the home for DJ led events in the setting every couple of months and is the place where visitor touch down following a teleport from the landing point. From here one can wander the walkways and space, climbing and descending steps and iron stairs that might have once served as fire escapes only, but which now do far more, discovering all the little corners and details which come together to offer an intriguing mix of influences, suggesting in own part a Japanese lean, in another a more Parisian rooftop setting and elsewhere touches that feel distinctly American in origin.
There is a ramshackle beauty spread throughout these rooftop spaces that is admirable both in the level of detail provided and in the sense that this is a real, bohemian-leaning community of like-minded souls. It’s a setting with a real sense that music, art and creativity all flourish without ever being forced or artificially nurtured; somewhere where everyone lives more as an extended family than mere friends and acquaintances drawn together through shared interests.
This latter point is well evidenced as one explores; garden spaces and little personal nooks and corners open off of the walkways and open spaces without any let or hindrance to those happening past them. Instead, they offer an invitation to come in, sit, share a drink and chat or play a game of dominoes or simply enjoy the company of the local feline community (of which there are a few!).
The club space is also home to a teleport door that will drop those left-clicking it down to ground level and The Butterfly Effect as designed by Vally.
This is a very different location to The Chaos Theory, offering a pair of subtropical islands, one of which forms Vally’s private home and is thus not for uninvited wandering. It lies to the south of the region, separated from its larger sibling by a fast-flowing channel of water spanned by a single bridge (complete with sign noting it is private), thus making it hard to miss. Two further private residences are located within the larger of the two islands, one to the east and the other to the north-west; again, both are clearly signposted to help avoid accidental trespass.
There are a number of other buildings on the larger island, starting with the large greenhouse / landing point with its information board and teleport boards. Close to this is a smaller rotunda, where tea and cakes might be enjoyed, perhaps followed by a stroll along the beach forming the edge of a shallow cove to the island’s north side. More centrally, and within the ruins of what might have once been a small chapel, is a place where music might be enjoyed, whilst to the west are two further buildings worthy of additional mention: the Mariposa Bath House and the Quantum Coffee House.
Both of these venues are reflective of the Adult rating for the region, in that nudity may be encountered in the former, whilst the art in the latter might be considered not suitable for work (NSFW) containing as it does images of female nudity. To avoid too much offence / confusion, access to the Bath House is restricted to Valium group members (joining fee L$250, which also grants rezzing rights should you want to use props for photography – but please pick them up when done!), and those not wearing the group tag will be given a polite but firm warning to remove themselves from the Bath House by the security orb there.
The Coffee House is open to all and offers a pleasant environment in which to pass the time, with plenty of seating on sofas and at tables. Many more places to sit and relax can be found through the setting, both on land and on the waters around and within the island, including within gazebos, under the branches of trees in the form of benches and swings, on the beach along the paths and terraces, and so on, with various elements available for photo poses as well (like the bicycles in their rack or the piano and harpsichord in the chapel ruins).
The region does have a set of behaviour rules relating to it, and these are worth reading through – click one of the information boards to obtain them. It is also finished with specific EEP settings, so I’d suggest visiting both Chaos Theory and The Butterfly Effect, I would recommend having your viewer set to Use Shared Environment, and my earlier warning about sounds at the landing point notwithstanding, do have local sounds enabled when exploring.
SLurl Details
The Butterfly Effect / Chaos Theory (rated Adult)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 