n. 1. Chaos theory. Patterns of turbulence; harmonies underlying disorder. 2. In phase-space, channels of order emerging from uncertainty; paths of transformation. 3. Shipworld sociology. Unseen forces tending to bring disparate energies and intelligences into convergence. Purposefulness of intent remains conjectural.
"I have not yet spoken of the esthetic appeal of strange attractors. These systems of curves, these clouds of points, suggest sometimes fireworks or galaxies . . . A realm lies here to be explored and harmonies to be discovered."
—David Ruel, "Strange Attractors"
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