When networks are brought up, one might think of computer networks, like your home networks, which has multiple devices connected to the same router. But there’s obviously different forms of networks. Like Nagurney mentioned in her talk, “Networks: The Science-Spanning Disciplines” (3:25), network science is the study of complex networks, like that of telecom networks, computer networks, natural networks, cognitive and semantic networks and even societal networks. Social networks have a huge impact on how you behave and where you might go in life. If your social network consisted of like-minded individuals who are energetic and carefree, you are likely similar as well. She also mentions networks have existed for thousands of years, dating as far back as the Romans. Nagurney explains how the Romans created a policy to manage their intake of chariots to lessen the congestion of many chariots entering their cities (5:36). A simple policy that restricted the number of chariots passing to and from the Roman Empire from thousands of years ago would carry over to today, where biologists, scientists, mathematicians and more, have dedicated international conferences, workshops and schooling to study network science. As Albert-Laszlo Barabasi states in his publication, “Taming Complexity”, “Network science has shown immediate economic benefits as well. The poster child of early network thinking is Google, whose phenomenal success is rooted in its algorithm that uses the topology of the Web to rank the search results.” The study of networks has evolved from a simple policy to manage chariots to a digital world where server-loads of data can be condensed, ranked and distributed in mere seconds. However, with such positive expectations of networks, it’s important to be aware of the negative aspects and consequences of networks and its study. The formation of a network can often lead to exclusion for those outside of the network. Take social circles as an example, the people in a social group are within the same network with each other. If someone were to try and join this social group, the group might deny them entry and create unwanted exclusivity. Once this exclusivity is born, rumors and presumptions are buried into the minds of others who can’t get into the group. For example, we probably have all assumed those who attended Harvard, MIT or Stanford are extremely smart individuals who might study 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That’s a presumption! What would happen if a small group of friends were planning a weekend vacation to the Alps and someone suggested on inviting the friend from Harvard? They will likely dismiss his invitation and claim “he’s probably busy studying anyway”. All in all, the study of networks can lead to great things that can simplify our life, but it’s also important to be aware of its unexpected negatives. After all, you should always expect the unexpected.
Sep 01 2020
