Synchronization and synchronicity are not the same word.
The phone synchronizes photos with the cloud — this is clear to everyone. But when someone says “I had synchronicity” after thinking about a person and they immediately called, — this is a completely different word and a completely different concept, even t...
The phone synchronizes photos with the cloud — this is clear to everyone. But when someone says “I had synchronicity” after thinking about a person and they immediately called, — this is a completely different word and a completely different concept, even though it sounds almost the same.
What is synchronization?
Synchronization is the process of coordinating two or more processes, devices, or data in time so that they occur simultaneously or correspond to each other. The word is most often heard in connection with technology: synchronization of photos between the phone and the cloud, synchronization of calendars, synchronization of video and sound.
What does the word “synchronization” mean in simple terms?
In simple terms: synchronization = making two processes go in one rhythm. Changed a contact on the phone — the same change occurred in the cloud. That is synchronization.
Where does the word “synchronization” come from?
The word consists of two ancient Greek elements: syn (“together, with”) and chronos (“time”). Together — “simultaneity,” “what happens at one time.” The same root “chronos” is also found in the words “chronology,” “chronic,” “anachronism.”
Where is the word “synchronization” used?
In technology
The most common meaning today is data synchronization between devices: phone, computer, cloud storage. Changed a file on one device — the change automatically appeared on the other.
In biology
The organism has its own internal “clocks” — circadian rhythms. “Synchronization” here means coordinating these internal clocks with the external world (for example, with the change of day and night), which affects sleep and well-being.
In sports
“Synchronized swimming” is a sport where participants perform movements simultaneously and in harmony, hence the name.
Synchronization and synchronicity — do not confuse
These are two different words with the same root, but with different meanings. Synchronization is a technical, mechanical process of coordination in time (files, devices, schedules). Synchronicity (or “synchronisticity”) is a concept by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, which describes meaningful coincidences of events that have no causal connection but are perceived by a person as related in content. A classic example — thought about a person, and they immediately called.
It is worth saying honestly: the concept of synchronicity remains a subject of criticism in the scientific community. Some researchers, including physicist Georges Charpak and chemist Henri Broch, consider it an example of apophenia — the brain's ability to see meaningful patterns where there is actually only randomness. That is, “synchronicity” is an interesting philosophical idea, not a verified scientific phenomenon.
Examples of usage
“Set up photo synchronization — now all pictures automatically appear on the computer.”
“Our work schedules are poorly synchronized, so it's hard to find time for a call.”
“It's just a coincidence, not some synchronicity” — if you want to emphasize that you do not believe in mystical explanations of randomness.
So when you next hear a phrase like “synchronize your life for harmony” — it is most likely a metaphor borrowed from the technical meaning of the word, not a hint at Jung's philosophy. And that's okay: language often takes an exact technical term and stretches it to things that actually just mean “bring into order.”
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