The Network Effect/Article 600

While driving down a road outside of Reedsville, PA, I took this picture of two people peacefully sharing a common space, heading toward unknown destinations as radically different from one another as the means of transportation taking them there. When looking at this, I come away with greater appreciation of the Network Effect and what it means for mankind.

For starters, the Network Effect totally depends on on/off switches generating 0's & 1's at blinding speeds as this binary way of counting enables data of endless variety to be processed, stored and distributed in effortless fashion to anyone equipped with a computer/smartphone/netbook, etc., etc. (and connected to the network) capable of deciphering the flow of bits in question. Because 0's & 1's can be overlayed by a limitless set of variables i.e. color, currency type, the letter "t" etc., etc. the computer, as Universal Machine, and the network it runs, The Web, have become prime drivers of the Network Effect or the power of individuals and groups to instantly communicate and collaborate with one another using machines linked together via the net. Flash Mobing, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter (not to mention Wikis, sites like PLOS, Blogs & news sites like Physorg & NYTimes) are just tiny samplings of information multipliers being used by millions in the attempt to better understand the profound changes happening in group consciousness being wrought by the connected age of the Network Effect.

Seen below is a graphic representation of the Network Effect from the hardware side as this is the physical construct on which everything rests in the world of digital communications. (love the telephones in these old but accurate graphics, BTW) :)

"The law has often been illustrated using the example of fax machines: a single fax machine is useless, but the value of every fax machine increases with the total number of fax machines in the network, because the total number of people with whom each user may send and receive documents increases."

In looking at Morse Code, I now see how important rhythm is in all things musical, biological and, in the case of Morse Code, communicative. :)

Never thought the number 600 and BRT would be spoken of in the same sentence but blame it on science & tech and the impact it has on all of us rubes. :) Robert E