Page 31 Spring 1994
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Juggling
Chaotically
Energy
transference from juggler to manipulated object is the essence of
our art when
understood on a purely academic level.
The
movement of a prop through the air is dependent upon not only the
speed of its initial acceleration but the turbulence it creates and
how that blends with the airflow present in the environment.
We
practice in order to match our intent to the resultant throw and
catch. Considering the multitude of factors that might affect the
outcome of the act, it is a wonder that some order may be accurately
predicted and appear.
There
has appeared in the last 20 years a method of viewing and
understanding seemingly random
behavior in dynamical systems, i.e., systems that are continually
changing their content and behavior in response to environmental
influences. It is called Chaos Theory.
Chaos
Theory presents us with a remarkably effective method of accurately
describing phenomena as disparate as the population of species and
the beating of the heart. In short, we have come to understand
that within seemingly random systems there lies a unique order that
can be plotted and eventually seen to create a geometric shape. This
shape is known as a "strange attractor."
Chaos
Theory has also shown that random behavior and strange attractors
lurk within systems previously thought to be strictly periodic or
stable in a single defined state of being.
Juggling
and chaos are distinctly connected by the concept of "sensitive
dependence on initial conditions" alternately known as
"the butterfly effect." Within systems displaying chaotic
behavior it is known that a very slight alteration in just one of
the many variables that affect the system can massively affect the
outcome of any sequence of events.
Any juggler can relate to the sensitivity of their intended pattern to slight alterations in angulation, speed, force and vision. The tiny perturbations that may drastically alter the shape of a juggling pattern expose the sensitive dependence in this dynamical system (i.e., the juggler and his props) and out of anticipated order there may suddenly arise chaos.
Finally,
juggling and Chaos Theory are linked by nonlinear dynamics. This is a
mathematical expression of stimulus and effect dictating that one will
follow the next in no strictly proportional relation. Thus, slight
alterations in speed or spin can have large and unexpected effects on
both the difficulty posed the juggler and the way the pattern is
perceived by the audience. Even a subtle alteration in the facial
expression of the performer may spell the difference between silence
and wild applause when nonlinear dynamics are present.
The
elements of Chaos Theory can be used to understand our art or even
describe it in a number of ways.
Does
Mill's Mess represent a strange attractor within an otherwise random
pattern of ball movement? Is the lJA festival the ultimate strange
attractor?
Nonlinear
dynamics drive tidal waves thousands of miles across the ocean without
appreciable loss of their shape or size.
It
is also is known to order nervous flow in the body. Has Anthony Gatto
somehow harnessed this force when he does five clubs forever?
How
can I hope to explain my tendency to miss so often today when I know
that a multitude of factors singly or in combination might be at
fault. Is it last night's broccoli? My socks?
If
juggling displays both randomness and order, nonlinear reactions to
stimuli and sensitivity to minute alterations in the initial act, then
Chaos Theory seems a relevant avenue of study. Of course, this would
not necessarily imply ultimate understanding. I just write this
stuff, I don't pretend to
understand it!
Barrett
Dorko is a physical
therapist and member of the Rubber City Jugglers of Akron,
Ohio. Suggested reading: Chaos:
Making a New Science by James Gleick, Penguin Books,
1987. Turbulent Mirror by Briggs and Peat, Harper Row, 1989. |