For this diagram I tried to convey the network of information as a fluid substance almost like a river. I believe this describes the interconnectedness between the information flow more acurately especially is this age where everything is just a finger click away. As knowledge seekers we simply put our hand in the passing water, and see what information we find useful at that time. I believe this is where the Dunbar number comes to play. A small group can concentrate a certain portion of information flow to question a certain idea. The fluid will circle around these fixed objects and since there is a greater mass, they can address greater ideas than just a single person. As the Dunbar number increases, the reach of the group expands yet the ability of concentration decreases. There is too much surface area for the fluid to enter and exit.
Information is not created or destroyed. Its the synthesis of this information that we create and the way we network this that follows. It takes a person or group asking a certain question in order seek out desired information.
For the diagram, the smaller nails in close proximity represent a small group like our studio. When close, they create more of a disturbance in the flow of information(cheese cloth) than do the individual nails that are spread out. The larger nails represent the more knowledgeable so they are beginning to direct greater amounts of information.
Dang, nice! What worked for me is when the nails began to position themselves in a sea of information, through a common question. Mangroves are an interesting example- they grow in the margins between land and sea (liminal?) and yet, their roots catch sediment creating firm ground where there was marsh. (My understanding of ” the mangrove effect” comes from Andy Clarks’s book Being There if you are interested). But now, as we move into program, it is time to test out concrete scenarios and get beyond metaphors. Or better still, use metaphors (concepts) to expand the concrete examples we create.
ooh cool Ill check that out. thanks!
Wow this is great! I read the bit on mangroves and Its interesting how he describes the roots/words as these fixed points or “frozen” ideas that can then be thought of objectively and abridged if need be. And then he goes on to explain how that once we make an idea “fixed” to a group, we get even more beneficial feed-back, because this information can inform thought process or perspective more so than an individual critiquing themselves. Kind of the power of collective thought/action. Great open source stuff.