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Network Coordination in Flocks

Source: https://www.zmescience.com/science/how-birds-flock-02443/ In class, we learned about cascading behavior in networks. This article describes how network coordination effects also play a role in birds flocking together. Just as we have payoffs for following a certain behavior, there are benefits to birds that flock together. For example, they get protection because birds separated from the flock […]

The Network Effect on Technology Diffusion

https://eml.berkeley.edu/~bhhall/papers/HallKhan03%20diffusion.pdf In the paper “Adoption of New Technology”, the author discusses different kinds of determinants of technology diffusion, including both the demand and supply sides. One of the demand determinants is the network effect, which means that a consumer’s satisfaction from the consumption of the technology increases as the network of either consumers or the […]

Spread of False Information Through Cascades

With the advent of modern technology, information spreads at rates that are simply incomparable to those of the past. With the whole world unlocked by the possession of a phone, laptop, tablet, etc., keeping up with current events and having an influence on international audiences is incredibly easy (compared to the past). “Influencers” are able […]

Prediction Markets: Just Gambling?

https://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/you-can-gamble-on-the-future-but-is-it-legal/71135/ Learning about prediction markets was odd.  To me, the entire ordeal just seemed like gambling.  I mean, we even used betting on horses as our real-world example to try to explain the concept.  It seems like it’s just betting money on with only a certain probability of occurring, and then just waiting and hoping […]

Information Spreading in Social Networks

http://theconversation.com/modelling-social-networks-reveals-how-information-spreads-18776 Even though the way we communicate has changed drastically with the introduction of the internet, people have continued to use the same methods to spread information, and that our social networks play an important role in influences our decisions. This article suggests a neutral model to explain how information spreads through a social network […]

Information Cascades in Online Movie Rankings

Source: https://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1324&context=marketing_papers Online product ratings are widely available on the Web and are known to influence the decisions of prospective buyers. These reviews are intended to serve as a reliable source of information for consumers and are therefore of notable importance to markets. Thus, it is important to examine any potential problems associated with how […]

The Diffusion of Boba Tea into Collegetown

Boba tea (a.k.a. bubble tea) is a Taiwanese cold beverage with tapioca balls that has diffused into the United States over the past few decades. Although it entered the Bay Area in the 90s, it became more of a nationwide trend (specifically in NYC) in the 2000s. Panda Tea Lounge was the first location in […]

Information Cascades and Finance

This article addresses the impact of information cascade on stock prices and other financial constructs. The article uses Netflix as an example of how when a stock is doing well and constantly increase in price, people invest in it and others stock shorting it. When less people short a stock, it is easier for the […]

“Ok Boomer”

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/teens-use-ok-boomer-fire-back-older-generations-criticisms-n1073331 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ok-boomer-fox-trademark-234917772.html https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/06/asia/new-zealand-ok-boomer-trnd/index.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OK_Boomer https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/10/31/why-gen-z-millennials-using-ok-boomer-baby-boomers/4107782002/ As we have studied in class, memes are one of the best representations of popularity and how popularity grows in social networks. The growth of the phrase “OK boomer” follows this rich get richer trend, as it has been used of 44.6 million times million times on social media site […]

Going Viral on Youtube!

Jennelle Eliana’s Rise to Vanlife Stardom In just 3 short weeks of starting her Youtube career, Jennelle Eliana rose to Youtube fame with her viral video titled “VAN TOUR | SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER lives VANLIFE with PET SNAKE!” Her sustainable living practice, odd choice of pet, and down to earth personality makes her a perfect […]

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