"So then what was this? A butterfly graph, the calling card of chaos theory mathematics..."

NICK BROWN SMELLED BULL

ByVinnie Rotondaro

A plucky amateur dared to question a celebrated psychological finding. He wound up blowing the whole theory wide open.


"So then what was this? A butterfly graph, the calling card of chaos theory mathematics, purporting to show the tipping point upon which individuals and groups “flourish” or “languish.” Not a metaphor, no poetic allusion, but an exact ratio: 2.9013 positive to 1 negative emotions. Cultivate a “positivity ratio” of greater than 2.9-to-1 and sail smoothly through life; fall below it, and sink like a stone."