The word synchronize is relatively easy to identify and simply means to occur at the same time and operate in unison, much like the simultaneous movements of synchronized swimmers. Originally developed by Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung, OBG's WOW (Word of the Week) - synchronicity - is different in that it is described as the experience of two or more events that are causally unrelated occurring together in a meaningful manner. To count as synchronicity, the events should be unlikely to occur together by chance (i.e., a coincidence of events). By way of example, Wikipedia goes on to say that the French writer Émile Deschamps claims in his memoirs that in 1805, he was treated to some plum pudding by a stranger named Monsieur de Fontgibu. Ten years later, the writer encountered plum pudding on the menu of a Paris restaurant and wanted to order some, but the waiter told him that the last dish had already been served to another customer, who turned out to be de Fontgibu. Many years later, in 1832, Émile Deschamps was at a diner and was once again offered plum pudding. He recalled the earlier incident and told his friends that only de Fontgibu was missing to make the setting complete—and in the same instant, de Fontgibu entered the room. Coincidence?
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WOW: Synchronicity
The word synchronize is relatively easy to identify and simply means to occur at the same time and operate in unison, much like the simultaneous movements of synchronized swimmers. Originally developed by Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung, OBG's WOW (Word of the Week) - synchronicity - is different in that it is described as the experience of two or more events that are causally unrelated occurring together in a meaningful manner. To count as synchronicity, the events should be unlikely to occur together by chance (i.e., a coincidence of events). By way of example, Wikipedia goes on to say that the French writer Émile Deschamps claims in his memoirs that in 1805, he was treated to some plum pudding by a stranger named Monsieur de Fontgibu. Ten years later, the writer encountered plum pudding on the menu of a Paris restaurant and wanted to order some, but the waiter told him that the last dish had already been served to another customer, who turned out to be de Fontgibu. Many years later, in 1832, Émile Deschamps was at a diner and was once again offered plum pudding. He recalled the earlier incident and told his friends that only de Fontgibu was missing to make the setting complete—and in the same instant, de Fontgibu entered the room. Coincidence?
