Daily Archives: September 23, 2013

Lose yourself to Potts

Potts’ ‘Introduction: ‘Culture’ and ‘Technology’ looks at the “complex relationship between culture and technology.” Technological advances have affected studies across the board, from medicine and sciences to new media art. Potts states that “new technologies have played a prominent role – from intellectual property to the changing notion of community.” This prompted a few thoughts. Firstly, the cultural pressures associated with ever evolving technologies and the perceived ‘need’ to have the latest and greatest version of everything – phones, tablets, cars etc. It also relates to something one of my Niki group members told me about; Silicon Valley companies buying intellectual property and patenting ideas (lots of ideas). So what does this me for me? Well, you may come up with a brilliant invention, something you believe is a completely original idea BUT… some company in Silicon Valley has already patented the idea. This company will then charge you a fee for your idea. Here is an article I found about this issue: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57496641-38/inside-intellectual-ventures-the-most-hated-company-in-tech/

For more Potts: http://vogmae.dropmark.com/133224/2324267

Unimportant Side Note
I was listening to Daft Punk’s ‘Lose yourself to dance’ while writing this post, hence the title.

Does a network have a centre?

This was one of the questions explored in week eight’s symposium. Jasmine said ‘no,’ reasoning that networks function on group behaviours and relations between parts. In this way, we are the centre of our networks because they are based on our decisions and connections. Adrian made a link to the week’s readings which explored scale free networks. Importantly (and logically) he noted that scale free networks cannot be scale free if there is a centre or anything resembling a hierarchy. Instead, these networks continually grow and shape emerges. Adrian compared the Internet and railroads. The Internet is an example of a scale free network, a railroad isn’t. The shape of a railroad needs to be planned in advance or it simply won’t function. In saying this, even though there is no ‘architect’ or planning involved in the structure of the internet, random connections do create structure. This is disproving previous models which suggest all networks need a hub. These models reflect traditional societal models based on hierarchy or status.