Applying Social Network Theory to 18th Century Data
Source: http://kieranhealy.org/blog/archives/2013/06/09/using-metadata-to-find-paul-revere/ The appendix to David Hackett Fischer’s Paul Revere’s Ride contains a large dataset of membership lists in various social organizations from the time of the revolutionary war. To the untrained eye, this looks like nothing more than a series of names associated with many groups. However, there is much more information in such […]
The Value of Social Inter-Connectivity for Paul Revere as Discussed in Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point”
Below I have posted a link to a review (albeit not a particularly laudatory one) of Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point. https://www.nytimes.com/books/00/03/05/reviews/000305.05wolfet.html The book, a recommended read for anyone interested in the subject matter of this course, considers various “social epidemics,” trends or fads that for some reason reached a “tipping point” and went from […]
Psychology and Game Theory: Deceiving the Wise Guy
Make them an offer they can’t refuse. In the capriciously violent world of the Mafiosi, application of the Game Theory oftentimes becomes a matter of life and death. An underlying assumption we tend to make when applying the rule of game theory is that people are rational. But rational does not necessarily mean optimal. The […]
Taking the step to increase a company’s network.. Amazon!
Companies in the 21st century are taking advantage of Graph and Network theory. Some powerful developments, like the referral or associate systems allow large companies to increase their incomes by following Networking theories. For instance, the Amazon Associates program, which is a largely network based program, pays individuals for not only advertising their website, but […]
Traffic is Just a Game!
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/geekquinox/smart-traffic-lights-game-theory-play-down-traffic-155547118.html?vp=1 This article briefly praises Samah El-Tantawy in Toronto for her application of game theory to traffic lights. Essentially traffic lights were given an AI that was trying to “win” at getting people through traffic. Each traffic light is an agent, which relays information to a main server. The main server then judges possible outcomes […]
War Games
In response to a growing threat in the Middle East, President Obama approved this past week of airstrikes over Syria and increased airstrikes in Iraq. The purpose? To eliminate ISIS “wherever they exist”. ISIS, the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq, is a Sunni Jihadist group in Syria, Iraq, and other parts of the Middle […]
Apple’s possible product paradox
Apple has a lot of pride for its products. Since it’s birth in the late 70’s Apple has turned out product after amazing product to a degree of expertise centered around its holistic design process and popular culture. With each new product unveiling there has been a clear use case, obvious reasons for the creation […]
Terrorists love social media
“Killing dozens of people at a time and carrying out public executions, crucifixions and other acts,” the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has left the world fixed in terror. Although these medieval acts of violence are horrid, these acts are not new for terrorists. What is new is the method by which ISIS […]
Apple’s refusal to utilize personal data: Missed Connections?
Today, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook appeared on Charlie Rose, and answered several questions about big data, and the ethical nature of the vast amount of personal information that big tech companies have access to. In contrast to other Silicon Valley giants such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc. who use ones online actions, browsing history, […]
Bungie’s position on day one reviews: A game theory perspective
Link: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/bungie-warns-destiny-day-one-reviews-might-not-tel/1100-6422161/ Bungie’s newest video game Destiny has garnered a fair bit of praise from gamers themselves and business publications as well for exceeding $500 million on the first day, however Bungie themselves have publicly expressed caution for gamers to trust reviews published on “day one” stating that the game is much more complex and requires […]
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