Networks

Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/22/AR2008052203380.html

Http://theyrule.net is an amazing interactive design depicting the connections between leaders of top corporations, universities, foundations and institutions. The edges indicate which boards people sit on. The project is designed to show the corruption that occurs because of the networks between these higher ups. The article in Washington Post is an investigation of the software and an exploration of the possible implications.

    This may all sound like a conspiracy theory but the proof is in the network. We learned in class that bridges with weak ties can be great sources of information that would otherwise be unreachable. You can see how politicians link to top corporations who link to top bank owners etc. It shows who is possibly influencing each other behind the scenes.

    The example pictured demonstrates the connections between boards of energy companies. The interconnectedness shows where information is being passed around. There are a few local bridges, which, as we have learned, are good sources of new information.

   It gives you more information, more creativity and innovation if you have your foot in multiple unrelated bodies of expertise. This could show that the networks between boards are productive ways to promote growth and innovation. We also know that nodes that reach over structural holes act as social gatekeepers and mediate relationships between groups, and how people learn which information from each other. This could give certain groups more abilities to use knowledge to help their companies and even possibly accomplish underhanded tasks.

    The embeddedness of certain board-members can also indicate where there is more information being passed. Embedded edges are more likely to trust each other and have confidence in the trustworthiness of their interactions. This also means that making bad choices is riskier because more people around will be aware of it. In this context, it could mean that some of the board members trust others and are more willing to share secrets within their network.

   Theyrule is a fascinating investigation of how networks among top businesses can possibly be harmful to the consumers and people that are out of the loop. The average person has no idea what kind of information is being passed within the networks. They could be affecting pricing, withholding information from the general public or colluding on lies. They could also be helping each other to innovate and grow their companies and the economy.  This is not necessarily how it works, for all we know the networks don’t indicate anything about the information; it is possible that people keep their personal agendas to themselves and don’t try to affect others. However, because of what I assume about human nature and what we have learned so far about information passing between networks, it is highly unlikely that we know the entirety of what is happening behind the scenes.