Mapping the Internet
The introductory lecture of INFO-2040 began with a discussion of a time circa 1970 when the entirety of the Internet could be mapped out between University of California, Santa Barbara and MIT. While the goal of mapping the internet today may seem more unattainable, the physical network that we, as a society, so often overlook […]
The Limitations of Using Random Graphs to Model Real World Networks
Real world networks were a difficult topic to study in the past, due to challenges in acquiring and analyzing data. However, the growth of the internet and powerful tools to process data have resulted in a rapid growth in networks research, and the ability to study them much more quantitatively. Access to larger networks (social […]
Viral Charity: The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
If you have used social media this summer, then you have probably heard of the ALS ice bucket challenge. This charitable social media phenomenon challenges participants to, in under 24 hours, either donate $100 to the ALS Foundation or else pour a bucket of ice water over their heads and nominate their friends to participate. […]