I am a bit confused here...SNA focuses directly on the space between individuals. Our relationships live in this space. Traditional social science looks at the characteristics of individuals to see if they vary according to another variable, i.e. independent and dependent variables. There are no IV and DV in SNA, at least in basic SNA. More advanced SNA blends statistics and SNA data.

The focus of analysis is on the space between the individuals, i.e. the air, rather than on the character or traits of the individual. The traits and character can be used to understand what is going on in the relationship but SNA measures the links not the nodes.

While traditional social science focuses on the characteristics of the individual, SNA takes the idea of social pressure and social forces seriously and analyzes the space in between individuals, i.e. the 'air'.

This is what makes SNA so different. Usual sociological analysis holds the individual as the unit of analysis. Even when looking at the institutional level, the unit is usually the individual. SNA asks you to see, analyze and conceptualize the space between individuals, i.e. air.

This is what makes SNA so different. Usual sociological analysis holds the individual as the unit of analysis. Even when looking at the institutional level, the unit is usually the individual. SNA asks you to see, analyze and conceptualize the space between individuals, i.e. air.

Marc Rysman - BU

Social networks are like 'air'; they surround us and we don't even see them. To me, this is what makes the methodology of SNA harder to grasp; how to access the data for 'air'? How to understand the discreet influence of 'air'? But once you see it, you can't unsee it! Very powerful!

I think this is why we are so fascinated by social media; it has revealed what has always been under the surface. To me, networks are like 'air'; all around us but hard to see. SNA reveals the air.

I think this is why they are hard to analyze...it is like trying to see and understand air. It is everywhere so it feels so normal and invisible. Networks, particularly human networks are the same. Humans have always been embedded in networks; we live, thrive and die in networks. They are another form of 'air'. The difference is that today, social media has made them more visible. We can now see them and analyze them in new ways. Hence, why this class is online :-)

Sometimes this new framework feels a bit overwhelming to me because it asks me to 'see' the world differently. I am use to seeing through discreet categories containing individuals; i.e. race, class and gender. SNA is asking me to see it through interconnections and links--the stuff behind the categories. Sometimes it feels like I am being asked to see 'air'; I know it is there, but it is all around me--ubiquitous--which makes it harder, and more intellectually challenging, to see.

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The Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line was a chain of 63 radio and communication centers that spread from Alaska to the Canadian Arctic to Greenland. The DEW line was an American defense project to protect them from Russian threat. The DEW line was the first joint American and Canadian defense project (Lajeunesse). Because the majority of the project was paid for and spearheaded by the United States, Canada feared losing sovereignty in the Arctic. The United States did not wish to control Canadian land, but would control military forces in that region. Canada feared American presence and demanded that any American military air force bases be located away from densely populated areas. The DEW Line was functional by 1957. The DEW line was primarily controlled by the American Air Force, as the Canadian Air Force personnel did not have proper training or manpower to serve the DEW line. The Canadian presence on the DEW line was largely ceremonial to display Canadian approval and control of their land. The Canadian government pushed for the DEW Line to become NATO territory to minimize American dominance of the region, but this hope was never realized. In order to regain control over their Arctic territory, Canada constructed its own radar line called the Mid-Canada Line. Constructing their own line allowed Canada to regain recognition as a powerful ally and partner to the United States.

References: Lajeunesse, Adam. "The Distant Early Warning Line and the Canadian Battle for Public Perception." Canadian Military Journal. Accessed May 04, 2017. http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo8/no2/lajeunes-eng.asp.

Worth noting that another motivation for innovation is the growing repricusions of the externalities of legacy industries and companies. This is encouraging investment in sustainable solutions and opening the door for new way business who's costs are lower becuase their impact on the environment is lower.

This makes me think of k.d. lang discussing the experience of recording with Roy Orbison: "when you’re standing that close to a vocalist, you can feel the air move, and the body resonating, and everything. And Roy was very operatic, so he had a great deal of air moving, and even though he may look meek, he used his body a lot to get that projection."

Air pollution by indoor cooking and lighting is a major health risk. With half the world's population relying on open fireplaces, this is truly a problem of global scale... I found an inspiring company that works on both increasing the accessibility to electricity and a less harmful alternative to conventional open fireplaces. You might be interested in this. You can read about their vision here: http://www.biolitestove.com/pages/mission