Linked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means

Rating:
Summary: A captivating read
Review: I first heard the author speak on NPR. Not only was I enthralled with his intelligence and clarity of thought, I was captivated by the promise of a new perspective on the connectedness of all things, from the sizes of stars in a galaxy to the revolution in internet search engines to the biology of the cell. This book delivers on that promise with insight, wit and style.

Rating:
Summary: Networks are scale-fee. Yadda-yadda-yadda...
Review: I read "Linked" after reading "The Tipping Point", hoping to find a somewhat more detailed exposition of networks. "Linked" provides this. Unfortunately, there just isn't that much to write about.

The main (and only) point that Barabasi makes is that most networks (particularly the ones he considers) are so-called scale-free networks, as opposed to random networks, and he gives plenty of real world examples to back this up. While this is a significant and intriguing point, it perhaps does not merit an entire book. The obstacle that "Linked" never overcomes is that its substance is purely observational: We learn "How everything is connected to everything else" but not why it is so or "what it means". This is particularly true later on in the book, in Barabasi's discussions of terror networks, corporate boards, and biochemistry.

"Linked" starts out fascinatingly and finishes boringly. Too bad.

Rating:
Summary: An intellectual memoir
Review: Linked focuses on network theory and some of its applications, where networks are defined as dynamic linear graphs. It is written for the non-mathematicians, and in fact does a very good job of giving the reader insight into how the mathematical modeler thinks and works, and what mathematical modeling is (the phrase "dynamic linear graphs" does not actually appear in the text). "Linked" is kind of an intellectual memoir, and especially in the first few chapters, is charming as well as informative. The problem is that Barabasi has an inflated view of the importance and primacy of his work and interests vis-a-vis the general subject of the theory of complex systems. Also, while Barbasi strikes me as intellectually honest, his lack of knowledge of such subjects as cellular biology leads him to erroneous claims for what insights may be attributed to recent work in network modeling. He is on stronger grounds when he discusses narrow subjects such as the links between corporate directors, and Barabasi does seem to know quite a bit about sociological modeling and the Internet. In terms of intellectual stimulation and excitement, Linked does not begin to match up with Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software by Steven Johnson, and I guess I was expecting something more comparable to that book.

Rating:
Summary: For artists
Review: This book has some amazing insights and easy to read. It will inspire those who are dealing with the concepts of scale. Other comments have talked about Alberts ego trips but they arent ego trips. This book is written by someone that is very far into his field and is a part of it in real life. This book made me realize that there is endless inspiration on the internet and also check out this books website for some beautiful color images that accompany the chapters.

Rating:
Summary: Linking & Unlinking
Review:
Complexity can be redefined into pattern and pattern redefined into relationship and process. In doing that we feel in control or at least a little comforted. We feel that all things are interrelated, linked. Professor Barabasi makes a compelling case for this in his book, Linked.

I recommend this book to everyone with the least bit of system or pattern recognition and the hunch that it's all related. Linked does not go off in either extreme: spirituality or quantum physics. The grounding is thoughtful and welcome.

My only contrary thought and I thank the author for raising it in me, is how do we unlink? Is it possible? Is it welcome? These questions come more from a personal psychological perspective. This book has opened a new area for me to ponder. Thanks.

Rating:
Summary: "Errors and failures typically corrupt all human designs."
Review:


"Ecosystems display a tolerance to errors rarely seen in human-made systems." My title and the previous statement give an idea of the wide area the study of networking covers.If you've ever wondered at how things are interconnected,this is the book for you.Is there any science to how things are linked?That science and principles seems to be very difficult.Believe it or not,Networking is in its early stages of being developed as a sciecce ,even though the results of interconnections,links,tie-ins,or whatever you want to call them,have been evident for a long time.This book is a good introduction to this study;but at this stage it is more about observations and definitions than answers and/or mathematical formulae.Overall the book is a very interesting and requires no mathematical prowness;in other words,easily understood.

Rating:
Summary: Too many promises not fulfilled
Review: The beginning of this book promises much more than what is really inside. I agree with one of the reviews that it could have been shortend a lot. The book seems to be written in a style similar to books on more important issue (for mankid, in my opinion), e.g. DNA, with (too) many personal facts of litlle momentum. In my opinion the ideas and "discoveries" reported by the author are not at this level, as the constant use of marvelous adjectives largely scattered in the book seems to suggest. I think that also a book written for the general public should consider humility as a texture on which to build this type of communication.

Rating:
Summary: The New Science
Review: An E-Review by Kelsey Nakanelua of:
Linked: The New Science of Networks
By: Albert-Laszlo Barabasi

The book, Linked the New Science of Networks is a great place to start in getting information concerning the connectivity of our complicated lives.
The concepts presented our explained with enough history and insight that the reader will begin to formulate his/her own ideas.
He takes us from Mafia Boy's hacking of Yahoo, giving a historical perspective on nodes and hubs. The emergence and relevance of mathematics and economics involved with networks. By laying down foundations in mathematics, economics, and physics, his concepts have credibility and I could grasp the overall concept that networks are becoming a "new science".

His ability to bring the 80/20 rule of economist Vilfredo Pareto, the scale free model, Power Laws, and Microsoft's connection to the Bose-Einstein condensation is engaging.
Barbabasi ability to use current events of Hollywood and Kevin Bacon's Six Degrees of Separation to emphasize how nodes and hubs are design in networks makes reading the book entertaining. All of these various examples point to the concept that there are well connected hubs and the fit hub is key to the development and demise of the networks.
I enjoyed all the history revolving around the various topics presented. He identifies and credits Paul Baran with conceptualizing the Internet. The history then follows Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) involvement in the Internet as it involved.

The closing chapters focus on the Internet, life and disease, the economy, and terrorist's networks. Barabasi touches on economic networks, by showing the links of Vernon Jordan, a "well connected hub" in Washington D.C. Having a background in economics, I enjoyed both his Power Law history and connection with Pareto. I would have liked to have more information regarding some other economic networks, perhaps, Greenspan and other prominent economist around the country. Or even a Wall Street or Chicago's financial network.

Naming the Al Qaeda networks a true web without a spider. Meaning the network will survive without the leader. These organizations and others like them have self-organized topology. He gives a brief outline that describes elimination of social, economic, and political issues, which will deter the desire to form these types of networks that lead to terrorism.
I would also be interested in history and background of the military, since I currently serve in the Naval Reserve. I would like to know the history and "new science" information regarding the military and their networks and hubs. One that comes to mind is Oliver North, which would be tied politically, but interesting. Another network I would interest in the Whitewater network and the Clinton's involvement.



Finally, the book deals with explaining this new science for our lives. Now, that there is an understanding of the different types of networks, I would like to see a formal plan for dealing or solving the problem areas in today's "linked" world.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and increased my interest in the field of networks.






Rating:
Summary: Think of this as Marketing Theory...after TiVo.
Review: Barabasi's "Linked" is an excellent introducton into the theory underlying social networks...with enough detail to give the more intent reader a clear and thoughtful view of the discipline. As a marketing strategist often called on to answer the question "How do we reach customers in age of TiVo, pop-up blockers and SPAM filters?" I found Barabasi provided a really solid treatment about the mechanics of social networks and their practical application, e.g., word-of-mouth marketing as a consumer-driven versus advertiser-driven channel. Perhaps not for the casual reader, though to be sure there is no reason why anyone choosing to apply him/herself to this book can't take away some truly valuable insights. "Linked" is a "must read" for marketers and advertisers as well as brand/product managers.

Rating:
Summary: A captivating read
Review: I first heard the author speak on NPR. Not only was I enthralled with his intelligence and clarity of thought, I was captivated by the promise of a new perspective on the connectedness of all things, from the sizes of stars in a galaxy to the revolution in internet search engines to the biology of the cell. This book delivers on that promise with insight, wit and style.