Continuous Networks?

Networks as discussed in class are:

–      Individual parts interact with each other

–      Assumptions from collective behaviours

–      Ubiquitous

–      Complex

–      Clusters

–      Changing

–      Broader societal concerns

Discussion question:

What do you understand by Watts’ claim that a network is a continuously evolving and self-constiuting system? (pg.29) What do these terms imply?

I agree with parts of this comment. Networks are no doubt dependent on continuation- they rely on previous links and future links to continue the ‘chain’. For example, a hyperlink would not work if it did not link out to somewhere else, and then that hyperlink source would not be accessible through this form. To me, networks therefore are not self-constituting as they are dependent on a sequential system.