Lecture Details
Presenter:
Social networks are an important factor for fostering creativity and innovation, back in ancient Greece and today. Such networks allow people to efficiently find the resources and partners they need and help new ideas catch on and spread. The ancient Greeks were remarkably innovative -- what was their secret? What can we learn from them to make our own communities more creative? Social networks are an important part of our lives. We all live in nested networks -- our family, friends, their friends, our co-workers, our social organizations, hobbies, schools, associations – these are all networks. Ancient Greeks lived in social networks too, and social network analysis is a tool that enables us to see these ties between citizens in the ancient city and understand how ideas could spread and innovations take hold. In this richly illustrated lecture, we will learn how the ancient Greeks became so creative, innovative, and influential. Examples will be drawn from her original research projects featuring studies of Pericles, Socrates, and Alexander the Great.