Self-Assembling Dynamic Networks

Description

DK Matai:

"Whether we act as individuals, families, communities, businesses, government departments or organizations, there can be no question that we have to listen, learn and adapt according to the massive paradigm shift created by self-assembling dynamic networks and their by-product: boundary-less tribalism.

From the embarrassing Wikileaks saga to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on Mastercard, Visa, Paypal and Amazon; from the riots in Tehran in 2009, London in 2010 and Tunis in 2011; and from the establishment of one major trend to the next... self-assembling dynamic networks enabled via digital means are increasingly leaving their indelible mark across the globe. This is clearly the beginning and much more is to follow in the months and years ahead. (http://www.businessinsider.com/2011-self-assembling-dynamic-networks-and-boundary-less-tribalism-2011-1)

Characteristics

DK Matai:

The key features of self-assembling dynamic networks are as follows:

1. Asymmetric power

2. Unintended consequences

3. No central control

4. No intelligent blueprint or formalised design

5. Rapid scaling

6. Unprecedented speed

7. Trans-national synchronicity

8. Total transparency

9. Creation of boundary-less tribalism

10. New order born out of chaos

(http://www.businessinsider.com/2011-self-assembling-dynamic-networks-and-boundary-less-tribalism-2011-1)

Example

Viruses are a good example of a self-assembling dynamic network. Viruses have been described as "organisms at the edge of life" since they possess genes, evolve by natural selection, and replicate by creating multiple copies of themselves through self-assembly. Virus self-assembly within host cells has implications for the study of the origin of life, as it may support the hypothesis that life itself could have started as self-assembling organic molecules. (http://www.businessinsider.com/2011-self-assembling-dynamic-networks-and-boundary-less-tribalism-2011-1)

Discussion

Digital Tribalism

DK Matai:

"Predominant characteristic of tribes throughout time is the need to share and to communicate ideas, thoughts, observations and views. Digital networks achieve this objective by connecting like-minded members of such new tribes across continents! As the principal players move around the arena, a self-assembled dynamic network structure emerges that no single player can control. Digital networks have taken tribal behaviour to a whole new level of collective consciousness: dynamic self-assembling tribes that come into existence almost instantaneously. Human civilisation has gone from local to national and from national to trans-national tribal behaviour and congregation enabled by digital catalysts.

With the growth of the Internet and with its capacity to communicate any and every idea or thought to anyone on the planet 24/7, we have created the ultimate platform for tribal behaviour. Human beings are social animals and need some form of community. Since the time our ancestors gathered together in caves for protection and food we have formed tribes and exhibit tribal behaviour. As civilisation has advanced our tribes have become more numerous and specific. They have developed into institutions, communities and sovereign nations. Now they are manifest as digital tribes, which can be created instantaneously as self-assembling dynamic networks.

The rise of modern civilisation with its secularism and isolationism has done much to break down the traditional tribal bonds. Social observers underscore our weakening traditional tribal influences, noting that young people's lack of enthusiasm to join community groups today can be translated as a lack of social responsibility. However, the conclusion that young people don't want to participate in tribal behaviour does not hold true. They do! It’s just that the format and structure of 21st century trans-national tribal networks is somewhat different from local community participation. It can be described as social networking at one level and a vigorous digital market for the exchange of ideas at another level." (http://www.businessinsider.com/2011-self-assembling-dynamic-networks-and-boundary-less-tribalism-2011-1)