Tag Archives: social network

Robot swarms communicate best when messages spread neighbor to neighbor

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Amy McDermott

In the not-so-distant future, swarms of robots could help contain environmental disasters such as wildfires, by locating and dousing the most dangerous patches, even as flames move and spread. But how would these individual robots coordinate effectively to pull off … Continue reading →

Well-connected members of tight-knit groups spread controversial ideas much more readily than “influencers”

Posted on July 30, 2021 by Amy McDermott

The people who spread new and controversial ideas—changes in diet, exercise routine, political leaning, or even attitudes about vaccination—may not be the Kim Kardashians and Paris Hiltons. According to a recent study in Nature Communications, those with the most actual … Continue reading →

Categories: Journal Club | Social Sciences | Tagged complex contagion, COVID-19, network science, simple contagion, social network, sociology, vaccines | 1 Comment

Journal Club: Model helps explain how social networks form

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Marcus Woo

One person might befriend another because of a shared love of basket weaving. Or, a friendship may instead blossom because that new friend has divergent interests, and can teach the other new hobbies. These opposing factors—seeking similarities and differences in … Continue reading →