Chaos theory and aliveness

I studied math, and my favorite thing was chaos theory. It describes how nature is impossible to replicate — infinite variation, no pattern ever perfect. And it's that endless imperfection that makes it so beautiful and interesting. It's the definition of alive.

I think about this a lot with fragrance.

Some molecules in perfumery come in two versions — nature-derived and synthetic. Legally and scientifically, they're considered identical.

But the nature-derived version carries tiny trace amounts of the living plant it came from. Too small to consciously register. And yet you can feel them.

The synthetic is considered perfect and pure. But to me, it feels flat.

We can feel so much more than we're rationally or consciously aware of. That sensitivity — the ability to feel what can't be explained — is aliveness.

— Emily