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Name of class (ENG 3773)

  Notes for 02-11-2009

Topic of class:

This class was based on chapters 1 & 2 of Clay Shirky's Here Comes Everybody:

First we discussed the chapters above, and came up with concepts like, how groups form, the Birthday Paradox, how people are connected in certain ways, and complexity & size. All of these were topics we covered in the chapters.

We also learned from the book, and group discussion, that groups are not just simple aggregations of individuals. We discussed the older mode of organization, hierarchy, and how a website called Flickr creates platforms for collaboration activity based upon shared interest not monetary interest. Finally we were split into groups and each group had to choose a technical subject that pertain to the lesson today and collaboratively create a PB wiki that contains group undertakings, sharing cooperation, and collective action.

Example:

1) According to Clay Shirky's Here Comes Everybody, pg. 26 the birthday paradox  is the belief  that in a group of maybe 36 people, no two will share the same birthday, it's very unlikely because everyone understands that the chance of any two people in that group sharing a birthday is low.

2) Individuals are complex if you are a group of two wanting to see a movie, would it not be much more easy to decide the movie you  want to see between the two of you as opposed to five of you deciding on a particular movie.

3) Hierarchy is the level of organization in a company, institution, etc.

4) Group undertakings includes,

Sharing, Cooperation, and Collective Action

Definitions:

Sharing - users help create a communally articable resource, easiest rung on the ladder often take it or leave it. (ex. people posting photos on flickr)

Cooperation - Synchronize groups of people, more difficult than sharing, people need to devote time to the project, coordination, and some collective decisions have to be made. (ex. Flickr groups)

Collective Action - A group acting on behalf of its members, shared consequence for all. (ex. farmers & sheep, and a union)

Links: