The Power Law of Information: Life in a Connected World (Response Books)

We live in an era of unparalleled access to information and communication technologies. The Internet and other information tools like the television are becoming ever more central to our lives we chat, blog, e-mail, and e-shop, leaving behind our footprints in this version of public space. In addition, we are constantly bombarded with different kinds of information that seek to mold our thinking in subtle ways. The reader of this book will discover that social information networks possess qualities that are counter-intuitive. Social information networks form what are called frictionless, nonlinear systems. The behavior of such systems can be extremely complex, making it hard to predict, let alone control. Despite this, there are some common features displayed by such systems, especially the power law distribution. A power law distribution of societal influence, for example, would depict a society where a small percentage of society would wield enormous clout, while the larger part would have very little or no influence. Such a society would be highly polarized, with no room for the middle ground. The Power Law of Information investigates properties of frictionless, non-linear systems, and the unconventional thought processes needed to comprehend them. It also shows how information affects us in a variety of ways: be it human rationality, the spread of ideas in society, or global monetary systems. Drawing upon current research, author Srinath Srinivasa offers directions on how to model the new world taking shape and possibly to also steer it in the right direction. This book will be of particular interest to students of ICT, and managers and business leaders, especially in the area of information management.

we Live In An Era Of Unparalleled Access To Information And Communication Technologies. The Internet And Other Information Tools Like The Television Are Becoming Ever More Central To Our Lives We Chat, Blog, E-mail And E-shop, Leaving Behind Our Footprints In This Version Of Public Space. In Addition, We Are Constantly Bombarded With Different Kinds Of Information That Seek To Mould Our Thinking In Subtle Ways. The Reader Of This Book Will Discover That Social Information Networks Possess Qualities That Are Counter-intuitive. Social Information Networks Form What Are Called Frictionless, Nonlinear Systems. The Behaviour Of Such Systems Can Be Extremely Complex, Making It Hard To Predict, Let Alone Control. Despite This, There Are Some Common Features Displayed By Such Systems, Especially The Power Law Distribution. A Power Law Distribution Of Societal Influence, For Example, Would Depict A Society Where A Small Percentage Of Society Would Wield Enormous Clout, While The Larger Part Would Have Very Little Or No Influence. Such A Society Would Be Highly Polarized, With No Room For The Middle Ground. The Book Investigates Properties Of Frictionless, Non-linear Systems And The Unconventional Thought Processes Needed To Comprehend Them. It Also Shows How Information Affects Us In A Variety Of Ways: Be It Human Rationality, The Spread Of Ideas In Society, Or Global Monetary Systems. Drawing Upon Current Research, The Author Offers Directions On How To Model The New World Taking Shape And Possibly To Also Steer It In The Right Direction.

"The book investigates properties of frictionless, nonlinear systems and the unconventional thought processes needed to comprehend them. It also shows how information affects us in a variety of ways: be it human rationality, the spread of ideas in society, or global monetary systems. Drawing upon current research, the author offers directions on how to model the new world taking shape and possibly to also steer it in the right direction. This book will be of particular interest to students of ICT, and managers and business leaders, especially in the area of information management."--Jacket Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 14 Information and the Power Law......Page 20 Non-linear Frictionless Systems......Page 41 Information and Rationality......Page 69 Information Networks and Cascades......Page 108 Information and Money......Page 141 Concluding Remarks......Page 175 Bibliography......Page 179 Index......Page 184 The Internet and other information tools like the television are becoming ever more central to our lives - we chat, blog, e-mail and e-shop, leaving behind our footprints in this version of public space. This book helps reader discover that social information networks possess qualities that are counter-intuitive.