“Like every infrastructure, from highway systems to the Internet, the power grid is not really a single entity, but several regional networks cobbled together under the rubric of greater connectivity for the good of all.” (p. 21)
The example given by Watts demonstrates the fragility of interdependence. When a single transmission line hit a tree in western Oregon, “causing it to flash over”, it set off a chain-reaction of failed lines due to an unprecedented power surge. This resulted in a huge power failure across the whole state.
Moreover, it seems (to me) a parallel to the web: an overwhelmingly huge and diverse platform made up of even more overwhelmingly complex connected systems. However, without the input of billions of individual’s across the world, who together build and contribute to web content, there would be nothing at all but empty space. It’s not really a single entity, but several billion people cobbled together under the rubric of greater connectivity for the good of all… There would be nothing to explore, because what is here right now is collective. Its is up to us to make the content and continuously contribute.
(Photo taken from: http://www.1871.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dominos-1.jpg)
