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.
I agree with your premise on Reed's law, that websites like social networks aren't just places to find information but rather places to interact with people you may not know and link with other groups that are similar to you. It's not simply being on one place on the internet and staying there, but rather having options to jump or link from one website to another. Everything is connected in today's society. which is why I believe social networks will be the way we get information in five years.
ReplyDeleteHi Rach!
ReplyDeleteI must say, that I do not agree with you on this one.. According to Facebook's Wikipedia page, Facebook has 1.23 billion monthly active users. That means that the "value" of this network is 1.51x10^16. That is not even counting the inactive number of users. To me, this number is too large to even fathom. The term "value" is also relative to each user so that's why I do not agree with Reed's Law.
As far as your prediction for what's to come in communication, you are probably right about the touch screen thing. Like, who even wants to use those buttons any more...?! Ew! However, a link to this video you speak of would have been nice.