tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117005533318160902.post4419620601131984082..comments2024-03-27T19:53:53.708-06:00Comments on growing changing learning creating: Vertical and horizontal networksTom Haskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658791778134826289noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117005533318160902.post-54654463066606425382007-04-06T14:05:00.000-06:002007-04-06T14:05:00.000-06:00No. But I have to applaud the effort.To explain, l...No. But I have to applaud the effort.<BR/><BR/>To explain, let me cite what was said about 'horizontal networks': "The people who find us online and link to our blog postings share similar passions" and "Communities of practice cut across project or job-assignment lines to confab with peers who have similar technical expertise."<BR/><BR/>Now in my terminology, you're just defining another kind of group.<BR/><BR/>Why?<BR/><BR/>Groups are defined by the nature of their members. This is what makes it possible to define a line dividing people who are members of the group and people who are not. When you define a 'network' as people who 'share similar passions' or 'have similar technical expertise' you are focusing on the properties of the members.<BR/><BR/>Networks are defined by the *connections* between the members. It doesn't matter whether they share similar passions or work for the same company or whatever. As I've argued before, networks don't have boundaries. There's no way to describe who's in and who's out - other than by enumerating connections.<BR/><BR/>I think that the distinction between vertical groups and horizontal groups has merit (well, at least as much merit as the analogous distinction between vertical and horizontal markets). But it does not shed light on what is a very important distinction in the *nature* of ways people can associate with each other.Stephen Downeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117005533318160902.post-51946450918005309602007-04-03T18:27:00.000-06:002007-04-03T18:27:00.000-06:00Thanks for the question Harold. I think of hierarc...Thanks for the question Harold. I think of hierarchies as networks because they are comprised of nodes with linkages. Those linkages sometimes loop around so the nodes receive feedback on their outputs. There are high levels of interdependency, shared fate and waves of repercussions within the structure. The system maintains itself by self regulating and self policing as well as setting up boundaries to exclude problematic participants. It could only "not be a network" if the nodes functioned in isolation, received no feedback and survived without support from the system, <BR/><BR/>I hope this helps clarify my use of the "network" concept.<BR/>TomTom Haskinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12658791778134826289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117005533318160902.post-12379179429134878712007-04-03T18:16:00.000-06:002007-04-03T18:16:00.000-06:00Thanks for your insights, Charles. I agree this po...Thanks for your insights, Charles. I agree this post makes a biased presentation. The horizontal network can induce disorientation, even an existential crisis, for someone who has a low tolerance of ambiguity. I suspect the freedom in it only functions effectively when the vertical network provides context and contrast. A similar point was made in my exploration of design constraints improving creativity. <BR/><BR/>Likewise the vertical network is where we confront the contrary, learn to relate to other viewpoints, and expand our insightful acceptance of diversity. In the context of the value of the vertical network, the horizontal seems escapist and irresponsible, promoting elitism, aristocratic control of the powerless and stereotyping of differences. <BR/><BR/>Please feel free to add more to what you've said here.Tom Haskinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12658791778134826289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117005533318160902.post-9461188441619838262007-04-03T18:14:00.000-06:002007-04-03T18:14:00.000-06:00Can a vertical network be a network if it is confi...Can a vertical network be a network if it is confining, imposed and physical? I see the differentiation, but I'm not sure if "vertical" warrants network status. Isn't it just a hierarchy?Harold Jarchehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11462304722726586155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117005533318160902.post-52434753207139168022007-04-03T16:48:00.000-06:002007-04-03T16:48:00.000-06:00Defining vertical networks in negative terms and h...Defining vertical networks in negative terms and horizontal ones in positive terms is biased and arbitrary. Sociocultural norms and constraints work on the horizontal level as well as on the vertical.Charles Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03848442952740759446noreply@blogger.com