Want to read a book that talks about both the spread of STDs and what unwitting problems programmers can add to a MMPORG?And the influence of friendships between members of Congress on what laws are passed? And the impact we have on the health of those we don’t even know?
In Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, Nicholas Christais and James Fowler write about the influences of others on our lives in multiple domains, including public health, politics, and online activities.
While there are sections in this book that do not contain new information to those in these fields, what is unique — but not surprising in a book about networks! — are the connections between these divergent fields. While reading this book, I was reminded of the work of Cass Sunstein, Henry Jenkins, Yochai Benkler, Eszter Hargittai, danah boyd, and a slew of public health researchers I don’t know by name.
In addition, though written for a general audience, the book has detailed citations, for those that want to delve further. Highly recommended.
