Network Assignment Using Golden Record Curation Quiz Data

Viewing the results of the Golden Record Curation graph reveals patterns in how our class chose different musical tracks and how those choices created connections among participants. In the graph, certain tracks, such as “Flowing Streams,” “Jaat Kahan Ho,” and “Johnny B. Goode” appear more centrally located and linked to multiple individuals, indicating that they were selected more frequently. In contrast, tracks such as “The Rite of Spring” and “Gavotte en Rondeaux” appear more isolated and on the outer edges of the graph, indicating that they were chosen by only a small number of participants.

What is interesting to note is that the most frequently selected songs represent several different continents, including Asia, North America, and Europe. Pieces such as “Flowing Streams” and “Jaat Kahan Ho” represent Asia, “Johnny B. Goode” represents North America, and “Brandenburg Concerto” represents Europe. This distribution suggests that many participants attempted to include music from multiple parts of the world rather than concentrating on a single cultural tradition. Since most participants in the class are likely located in North America and influenced by North American culture, it appears that many of us made a conscious effort to move beyond our own regional context when selecting tracks. Instead of choosing only the music that might feel most familiar, participants seemed to prioritize representing a broader view of humanity. The fact that the most frequently selected tracks come from several continents suggests that the decision-making process may have been shaped less by personal musical preference and more by the desire to curate a collection that felt globally representative.

At the same time, however, the visualization cannot truly reveal whether these motivations were inspired by personal preference, cultural familiarity, or a deliberate attempt to include diverse musical decisions. Although the graph shows the outcomes of decisions, it cannot fully capture the thought processes behind them, demonstrating the limitations of the data graphing. Additionally, an important issue is the absence of what might be considered “null.” This visualization included all tracks, as at least 2 participants voted for each one, so there are no “null” choices represented in this graph. However, if there had been “null” choices (songs that no participants selected), they would not have been represented on the graph at all, as Palladio only depicts connections. Therefore, if there were no connections, the song would be absent entirely, and we would have no way of knowing why it was not included, other than asking participants themselves. This further shows limitations of the data and demonstrates that oftentimes what is not depicted is just as important as what is.

Furthermore, these limitations raise broader implications about how data visualizations construct meaning. By grouping participants together based on shared selections, the network creates the impression that we all have similar musical tastes or that we are culturally influenced in ways that lead to shared musical experiences, familiarity, and selections. However, the visualization lacks important contextual factors, such as gender, cultural background, and personal experiences, all of which shape how and why participants choose particular pieces of music. For instance, since many of us are presumably less familiar with music from other continents, this may have influenced us to select those songs intentionally, in order to showcase global diversity. However, if participants had grown up or been shaped by experiences in different parts of the world, their selections might look different. Someone raised in another continent might view Europe as a continent with extensive musical diversity, and therefore might choose several pieces from various European countries rather than limiting their selections. Gender may also influence how participants select songs, as men and women may gravitate towards music that reflects their identities and personal experiences. These possibilities demonstrate that the visualization reflects only the final selections, rather than the social, cultural, and personal factors that influenced those choices.