How are Networks and Network Theory changing the way we organize and categorize information?
From an early adolescent age, toddlers categorize things into groups to better understand the world around them. People are connected to each other through many different socially connected networks. The term, “it’s a small world”, gives an insight to how we are all truly connected. There are many kinds of networks. There are physical networks, scientific networks, technological networks, etc. These many networks even depend on other networks in order to achieve their daily goals.
In order for the internet to flow there has to be an energy network in place, like a way for organizing electricity. In order to watch a television network, there has to be an electric grid in place. In Dr. Anna Nagurney’s talk called, Networks: The Science-Spanning Disciplines she talks about how, there are nodes, links, flows, and edges. Nodes are the many intersections that data, energy, vehicles have to travel to get from one destination to another. Links and archs where described as connections to the many different Nodes as in intersections. Flows are the many different vehicles sizes that travel through the links and nodes. Edges are the destination sets that the energy, data, vehicles wanted to get to. Information, data, energy or vehicles are examples of things getting from one origin point to their destination point. Usually there is no wrong combination, or algorithm to get from one place to another.
Google maps uses an algorithm based on the time of day, traffic congestion to give you an estimate of your arrival time based on your departure time. People are interested in reaching their goals at the fast amount of time as possible. With products, people want the maximum profit return as possible. In the article Taming complexity by Albert-Laszlo Barabasi, he asks a question, “Do we seriously believe that real networks are random.” He explains how networks work in a natural order. The computer was designed with the intention of mimicking the human brain. Cameras replicate the human eyes optics. In order for networks to function there has to be a sense of order.
KeyAnna Hooker
Award Winning Short Filmmaker holding a degree in Media Technology / Media & Digital Film Production, under Communication Arts & Sciences. She is in her final semester completing Film & TV Studies BA with a concentration in Television under Journalism & Media Studies for Fall 2020
