After times of war, when a large percentage of the male population is killed, there follows a huge spike in the number of baby boys being born. In this way, the gender balance of the population is corrected. This phenomenon is known as the ‘returning soldier effect’, and it was first observed in the United States in 1954. Sociologists have since observed a similar effect in post-war societies around the world. Scientists have long-since theorised on the ‘boy boom’, but no singular explanation has been sufficient to explain the phenomenon.

The returning soldier effect is just one of the bizarre and unexplainable ways the world works to restore balance. Whether that’s the universe, or God, or nature, the effect serves as a reminder that a number of forces are at work and we can neither explain nor control these forces. We can find peace in accepting this unknown force works to restore balance, even if we don’t quite understand it.

Our society has developed many things that disrupt this natural balance, causing harm to mankind and the world we live in. From carcinogenic fattening foods to the destruction of nature, man made forces put balance out of sync while posing a real threat to human lives. But correcting these man made wrongs can be very powerful. Rebel entrepreneurs back innovations that help restore the world’s balance, knowing that this can bring great success. Whether it’s a service that helps combat the effects of climate change, medicines that reverse heart disease or treatment routes that tackle the anxiety epidemic – any innovation that restores balance has the potential to succeed.

Howard Schultz once wrote: “Companies should not have a singular view of profitability. There needs to be a balance between commerce and social responsibility. The companies that are authentic about it will wind up as the companies that make more money.” Rebel entrepreneurs who are passionate about reversing the damage done by mankind can find great success but they don’t pursue this path to make money. Their aim is to develop products that help restore the world’s balance.