Information and Networks

I most agree with Reed’s law that the utility of large networks, particularly social networks, can scale exponentially with the size of the network. From what I understand, Reed’s law followed Metcalfe’s law that in a common network, each member can make a connection and expound on it. Reed’s law is the link between computer and social networks. During the 1990s EBay provided a network for people to buy and sell to each other. These social groups and interests created a social capital where people could easily get things done through one another without having to go through institutions. Instead of connecting two systems like Metcalfe’s law, Reed’s law allows for the connection between human beings and the ability for people in networks to form groups. I think important to constantly allow the network scale to change as networks shift and Reed’s law is this change.

Thinking back to five years ago, two of the most popular social networking sites including Instagram and Snapchat didn’t exist. Today both these platforms are used not only to communicate, but as marketing and advertising tools. From where we have come in the last five years, it’s hard for me to even imagine where we will go.

I thought it would be interesting to Google “How will people get their information five years from now?” to see where technology is headed. The results were remarkable. I watched a seven minute film produced by Microsoft that took viewers on an adventure into the future of communication exploring information, assembling ideas and telling stories. There were 3D holograms underwater allowing the actor to see, move around and interact naturally with information through virtual objects. This information was then communicated to a classroom through a virtual blackboard. I noticed most of the communication was interacted through touch. In five years I think the expansion of touch will move to bathroom mirrors, house walls, windows, etc.

"Why We Blog"

“Why We Blog” is an ethnographic approach to understanding the reasons behind why people blog by investigating blogger practices. In order to truly understand and dig beneath surface level understandings, Nardi, Schiano, Gumbrecht, and Swartz conducted an extensive interview process among 23 individuals that included reading their blogs, face to face interviews, and follow-up sessions. I thought it was interesting that out of the 23 individuals, only 7 were women. I have always viewed blogging as a way for people to motivate one another through personal emotional issues, a place to share hobbies, or as a way for people to keep family and friends up to date on what is happening in their lives. Because of this, I was surprised so many men blog based on the stereotypes society casts on men in response to vulnerability. I was wrong though. According to the article, not only is major motivations for blogging documenting one’s life and expressing deeply felt emotions, but bloggers also blog to provide commentary and opinions, articulating ideas through writing, and forming and maintaining community forums.

The reason bloggers document their lives are to record activities and events. It’s also easier than sending lots of emails reported Arthur, a Sanford professor. Arthur also mentioned that by blogging, no one needs to respond unless they wish too. Blog’s are used as commentary to express opinions. This allows for amateurs to express their opinion in an environment that doesn't result in embarrassment. Blogs are used as an outlet to shout and allow for people to express their feeling s to strangers about things they feel passionate or obsessive toward. Blogs also provide an audience to shape writing and an archive of reusable posts. Lastly, the research found that blogs are used as a way to create community groups such as our class blogs to encourage conversation and communal ideas.