NBN Book of the Day Anthony Bonato, "Dots and Lines: Hidden Networks in Social Media, AI, and Nature" (Johns Hopkins UP, 2025)
Sep 3, 2025
Anthony Bonato, a mathematician and professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, unpacks the fascinating world of networks in his book 'Dots and Lines.' He reveals how networks shape our reality, from political landscapes to climate patterns. Discover the surprising impact of social media strategies, learn about the PageRank algorithm behind Google, and explore the interconnectedness of Hollywood through the Bacon number. Bonato also highlights practical applications of network theory in art protection and cave rescues, showcasing its relevance in everyday life.
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Different Systems Share Network Patterns
- Bonato was surprised years ago to learn disparate systems (power grid, nematode connectome) can share similar average distances.
- He views such recurring network patterns as evidence of universal network properties.
Burning Models Meme And Epidemic Spread
- The burning model simulates meme or contagion spread by seeded starts and random appearances across networks.
- It helps explain why viral content and epidemics both eventually reach most nodes over time.
Plan Searches By Path Width
- Use path width to model cave or building layouts and optimize searcher deployment for rescue.
- Calculate path width to determine the minimum number of searchers needed to effectively cover a cave network.
