Today as I sat in front of my computer
watching "Six Degrees of Separation"** while eating a
delicious cod*, I realized my life is a networked mess. And that’s
exactly how I like it. We are all bound by a networked system. That
is a fascinating thought. This is universality. From eco systems to Internet
browsing, all can be seen through the perspective of networking. All
aspects of life can be dwindled down to a graph of networks. Being
creatures of multiplexity, we have so many networks in our lives its hard to
keep track. But even so, what is more fascinating is that each network
system has its own intrinsic dance, unique sets of rules that we behave
according to.
In “The Science of Computing” one quote caught my attention, that “Networking has had an effect on the world more profound than that of the more spectacular and expensive Apollo moon missions.” Now, I am not taking any significance away from Apollo, but I would have to agree. What makes networking so great is that it actually changes human behavior. Denning explains it so well with the three examples of bringing back Ford, Bell, and Edison to our time. Each would not be surprised with the mechanical aspects but how each invention changed human practices. So much has changed in the past few years to a decade. Our technology, communication, business, economics, education etc. all thanks to advances in networking
This is only happening at a faster rate, at least in my perspective. Daily, new aspects are added to our network and shape a new human practice along with it. Whether it is internal networking in machines or a network linking machines or our social networks, new ways of networking will never stop.
*No seals were hurt in obtaining the cod
**Will Smith is one hell of an actor
Hah! Clever way of weaving together several of the readings, Alex, though I must admit I have never seen the Will Smith film you're referencing (nearly two decades old now!). I do want you to be a little more cautious in your celebration of networks... perhaps the Thacker & Galloway would be a good counterpoint here, as they remind us that the idea of the network is, as you say, a very tempting one. Like that proverbial saying about how once you hold a hammer, the world is suddenly full of nails, it is possible to go overboard with applying network theory. If everything belongs to a network or networks, a network becomes meaningless, no?
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