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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Social Physics summary
Alex Pentland
How Good Ideas Spread: The Lessons from a New Science
15 mins
Topics
Table of Contents
Social Physics
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
Social physics uses the huge amount of data available in our modern world to analyze human behavior.
We’re all familiar with the concept of “physics” and “social science.” But have you ever heard of social physics?
Social physics is an approach to understanding human behavior – one that aims to find out what we’re really doing, and not what we think we are doing.
Social physics takes one huge idea from traditional physics, namely the idea that the flow of energy translates into changes in motion. Think of how, if the wind blows hard enough, it can pluck an apple from a tree, for example.
We can apply this concept to human behavior as well, by analyzing how the flow of ideas and information – much like energy – translates into changes in human behavior.
Unlike traditional approaches to understanding human society, however, social physics doesn’t use abstract models of human behavior. Instead, it uses living labs.
Instead of using one-time surveys and lab experiments that analyze a particular element of behavior, social physics uses data from every facet of our behavior over a much longer period of time, often spanning years.
Social physics makes good use of big data, i.e., a huge collection of information, which can then be analyzed for patterns. Some of this data takes the form of “digital bread crumbs.” Our credit cards, for example, show where we buy goods, cell phone data shows where we are and even who we’re talking to.
Another tool in social physics’ arsenal is the sociometric badge, devices worn around the neck that capture data about our body language during interactions.
In analyzing this huge collection of data, patterns emerge about an individual’s or a community's life – a process known as “reality mining.” And behind these patterns lies the truth about human behavior.
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What is Social Physics about?
Social Physics offers a crash course in the new self-declared field of science. It asks questions about how we can best use the treasure troves of data available to companies and researchers today to better understand human interaction and social organization, and hopefully create a better society.
Who should read Social Physics?
- Anyone interested in social organization
- Anyone who feels uneasy about sharing their personal data
- Anyone who ever heard of Social Physics and wants to understand what it means
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