I found this week’s assignment really interesting as it took me some time to wrap my head around. I wasn’t sure how to approach it at first and found the data really overwhelming. When I hunkered down to try and analyze the connections within the data I decided to focus on the facet that I was grouped in and draw lines to those I connected too (or at least those that the algorithm connected me to). I drew lines to show how I was connected with my peers through the grouping I was given.

This type of representation in grouping is superficial. The linking created between the nodes it based solely on a choice and nothing else, nothing deeper. I don’t think that choices, on a surface level, can be used to represent similarities among people. Context is imperative to understanding and should be the bases for grouping. Some feedback that Ernesto gave me on my curated list was that he could not tell if I had a background in music due to my objective reasons for choosing each piece of music. I believe that objectivity in the assignment for curating a record to represent earth is imperative. BUT, objectivity grouping people is near impossible. Perhaps this network narrows down to who we could possibly have these conversations with as it shows commonalities in choices, but beyond that, the information is vague and ambiguous.

I have an extensive music background having studied for many decades and obtaining my theory and practical teaching level through the London College of Music at the age of 15. I found it, perhaps, easier to be objective with more background knowledge since I could appreciate each piece as individuals and not rely on which music I enjoyed the most (not that there is anything wrong with this strategy). I think it would be a more accurate depiction of our group if we were categorized using the WHY. Why did we choose which music to include? Why did we choose which music to exclude? Was it based on enjoyment? History? Alien research?

I appreciated the question regarding political implications of the groupings created. Systems Innovation (2015) brought up the point that many people see being connected as a positive, but it can just as easily be labelled as negative. I think this is, while minor, a reflection of how society groups based on intersectionality as a tool for oppression. Racism, sexism, religion, sexuality – all of these traits are used to categorize people without focusing on the important question of why. Why are these groups more at risk? Why have these groups historically faced discrimination? Why are we still using these traits to label people? These groupings are made on surface level assumptions to create societal so engrained in society that we stopped questioning them.

References

Systems Innovation. (2015, April 19). Network connections. [Video]. YouTube.