In the first half of the week we have two chapters explaining the fundamentals of network theory and analysis, as well as the best known application of social network analysis, Granovetter’s “The Strength of Weak Ties”. In class we discussed various ways of measuring networks and a node’s place in them. These measures included centrality, density, and others.
The second half of the week will focus on the role of homophily. Homophily is a measure of similarity, something important in looking at the construction and interrelatedness in networks and the flow of information said networks. As you read through this material, we suggest that you keep in mind one of the salient points from “the strength of weak ties”: individuals who are less similar to you are likely to have different network connections. Indeed, they are also likely to have information that you do not…yet.
]]>Will the OLPC help bring about the changes that its backers hope it will? It well may; but our discussions suggested that it is difficult to anticipate the exact uses to which the device might be put. In addition, we surfaced the dangers of treating the OLPC as a unitary object, eliding away the complexities of the system that it is embedded within, speaking of it as a stand-in for many other issues that must be dealt with concomitantly (government policy, network infrastructures, teacher education, etc.).
The last election proved that the internet certainly can affect the political system. The extent of the changes, however, cannot fully be pinned down. The discussion raised questions of whether more people are contributing because of the internet, or if the same people are just contributing more. Whether the internet creates a greater plurality of viewpoints and better read populace, or if people are just sticking their heads in echo chambers.
This was a great discussion, and we’re already thinking about how we can facilitate more such!
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