Upon examining this network, I found it overwhelming at first. While I understand that some can easily grasp the connections between pieces, I struggled to see the full picture initially.

The first thing I noticed was that some nodes were larger than others, which likely indicates that more people selected those songs. This concept is similar to a word cloud, where the more frequently a word appears, the larger it becomes, signifying greater importance.

For example, Johnny B. Goode was chosen by about 15 people, as shown by the 15 strands extending from its node. This aligns with the idea presented in the “Network Connections” video, which explains that larger nodes are “more likely to catch what is flowing through the network” (1:04). As I was listening, it occurred to me that Johnny B. Goode might be so popular simply because more people have heard it. It’s like the “popular girl” in school who hears all the gossip (1:15)—in this case, we all know Johnny B. Goode. Whether through Back to the Future or as a quintessential rock-and-roll song, its widespread recognition has influenced many. The same thing could be said about Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.  Beethoven’s 5th Symphony was highly popular with 11 connections. Curious about why, I asked my family. My dad said, “It’s never not been famous,” while my mom attributed its lasting impact to its melody and frequent use in popular media. Through further research, I found that the ‘fate motif’ is a major factor in its reputation and enjoyment by so many.

Other notable selections included Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto and Japan’s The Crane’s Nest. While both are great pieces, I wondered why people specifically chose Bach and Beethoven. Despite their differences, having two classical selections seemed noteworthy. On the other hand, The Crane’s Nest also lacks lyrics but features complex time signatures while maintaining a simple elegance. Perhaps listeners were drawn to it in a different way than to the structured compositions of Bach and Beethoven.

After watching the Network Theory Overview video, I realized that rather than focusing on individual strands, I needed to step back and view the network as a whole. Around 2:43, the video explains how people are connected even when no obvious link exists. Looking at the participants in this course, we come from different backgrounds and locations, yet this network reveals unexpected commonalities among us.

I was placed in a community with Evan Daigie and Yinwen Jiang. Our shared song choices were Beethoven’s 5th Symphony (Track 18), Peru Panpipes (Track 13), and Kinds of Flowers from Java (Track 2). While Beethoven’s piece felt like an obvious selection due to its prominence, the other two felt more like unexpected connections. Interestingly, Yinwen and I shared no direct links—our connection existed solely through Evan. However, Evan and I had two additional shared selections: Johnny B. Goode (Track 7) and Flowing Streams from China (Track 24). Of course, some of my choices were driven by a desire for diversity rather than personal preference.

This ties back to the broader concept of language and interpretation. Much like with words, pictures, and emojis, we instinctively create stories around music choices—trying to understand the why behind them rather than just taking them at face value. Through this process, I find myself thinking more critically about the reasoning behind selections rather than just observing them as isolated choices.