avatarFrancisco Iglesias

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Abstract

d.</p><p id="0068">And because of their relative homogeneity, ego-Networks can easily become echo-chambers.</p><p id="7e3e">If the hub of an ego-network goes away the network falls apart. In an ego-network, the person is the purpose, and without that person, the connections are gone. My marriage (wonderful as it is), ended a lovely phase of networked connectedness in my life, because the purpose of our interactions (my need for help with child-raising) ended and the network drifted apart.</p><h2 id="1732">Eco-Networks Fit Between Socio-networks and Open Networks</h2><p id="8853">An Eco-Network is a relative newcomer to the network-science labelling game. I don’t even know where I got the term from. It’s not in the book I pulled the others from, which is what I’d expected. I know I’ve come across it in a few places over the course of my network reading but haven’t been able to re-find them — so if anyone reading this can find them, please share with us!</p><p id="77ca">In any case, an eco-network sits somewhere between a socio-network and an open-network. A socio-network (the ‘network in a box’) generally has a centrally defined, narrow purpose (think ‘mission statement’ or ‘avoiding organizational bankruptcy’); a clear and precise definition of inclusion (think ‘everyone on our payroll’ or ‘the roll-call list’); a relatively centralized and hierarchical command system; and officially-sanctioned and controlled information and resource flows (balanced by secret, un-sanctioned information flows). Whereas an open network is unbounded, random, directionless and incoherent (think Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).</p><p id="0b65">So we could think of an eco-network as skirting the boundary between rigid pseudo-control and a free-for-all. In my mind, an eco-network is the social equivalent of that strange attractor within a system that generates ordered patterns out of chaos. To me, an eco-network has the potential to generate a collective path from our current world — a world presently oscillating between destructive authoritarian rigidity and chaotic collapse — to a new world, built on an evolved understanding of order/structure, connection, and thriving.</p><h2 id="9d53">What IS an Eco-Network?</h2><p id="56e0">But what does all that MEAN, practically speaking?</p><p id="a65c">Well, it helps to think about ecosystems. For one thing, both eco-networks and ecosystems only thrive with ample diversity.</p><p id="05c0">For another — in both cases, flows of resources (whether money, information, skills, trust and shared inspiration or nutrients, shared environmental context, water and sunshine) are complexly reciprocal, as opposed to transactional. In a forest ecosystem, no-one barters with the squirrel to get it to poop out worm and fungi food. And in exchange for the squirrel poop, worms and fungi don’t break the elements down fine enough so that plant roots can absorb them because the trees or the pooping animals pay them to — they do it because that’s what they do, it’s part of their organic process. The trees and other plants only grow if there are adequate nutrients and water — and when they do, they create food some of the animals need to survive (and poop out), some of which become food for other animals, and it all requires water, water retention, healthy soil — and so on. There is an organically-driven flow of value, based on adequate diversity, that is not directly transactional.</p><p id="3124">There is no need for direct transactions because each community member’s survival depends on the in-flows (food, etc.) and out-flows (poop, etc.) of all the members. Transactions are too small a dynamic to support the complexity and adaptivity of an ecosystem.</p><p id="c510">The ecosystem forms an interdependent network of a huge variety of life forms, moving a broad range of nutrients freely through a complex system of flows that sustains the whole thing. Pull out too many parts, or just block up too many of the flows from one component to another and the whole thing collapses. And when I say ‘flows’ here, I mean ‘connection’/’relationship’. You could have all the pieces of the system/network, but if they weren’t able to interact, you wouldn’t have a network, let alone a living system.</p><p id="6f03">In an ecosystem, there is also no ‘boss’, no centralized command and control. The whole thing works because of how the community fits together, not because someone designed it that way. A social eco-network is similar. There may be players with larger impacts and greater input into direction, but that doesn’t mean they master-mind and control the whole thing.</p><p id="248a">Another thing a social eco-network and a ecosystem have in common is boundaries. They may be fuzzy, but they are real and discernable. For instance, there is diversity, but the diversity isn’t infinite (like it could be in an open network) and it certainly isn’t random. Whales don’t occupy forests, butterflies don’t do arctics, polar bears don’t co-exist well within rainforests.</p><p id="c77f">With ecosystems the boundary is environmental, the community members all thrive within a similar environment. With an eco-network, the boundary is purpose. And the boundary is what holds the community together.</p><h2 id="66e9">The Point of an Eco-Network</h2><p id="04f0">So — ultimately — the main distinction between an ego-network and an eco-network is this — the eco-network exists to support a purpose, not a person or an organization. It supports a broad purpose that is greater than any of the individuals involved, but which benefits all the individuals involved. It’s also a purpose which can’t be served nearly as effectively by individuals (or individual organizations) acting on their own, without the diverse and reciprocal flows of support and information that characterizes an ecosystem.</p><p id="4069">The glue, then, is not ONLY strong personal bonds (as in an ego-network) — though it won’t ever work without a lot of them — it is ALSO an intention that is larger than the personal bonds. It is an intention to be one part of a larger, purposeful, whole. An intention to help develop that whole and the individuals within it in ways that are generative for oneself as well as for the larger purpose.</p><p id="984c">An eco-network, then, has: a purpose; diverse membership; complex reciprocity; multiple ‘centers’ with multiple roles; and a robust and free flow of information, resources, capacity and care to where they are needed most. A flow that both includes and transcends the bonds of personal connection, and that emerge from the interactions.</p><p id="453e">Far from being a popularity contest, an eco-network is a puzzle we can do together. It’s a fun but serious game of learning about fits and flows — about

Options

how to amplify the impact of what each member has to offer. It’s a dance between the individual and the collective, an ever-shifting experiment with order emerging from chaos.</p><h2 id="da50">But So What?</h2><p id="4717">Why do I think any of this matters?</p><p id="41bb">I believe it matters because our imaginations matter. All of our actions and behaviors are driven by and reflect our deepest beliefs and values — and these are all gestated in the womb of our imaginations. What we can’t imagine, we can’t create. And the only way we ever create something new, for which there is no current model, is if we imagine it first. I believe it matters that we pull our imaginations a step past what we already know, do and envision — into a higher level of generative capacity — in a way that affirms and includes everyone, not just the social butterflies.</p><p id="8817">And I believe that if we tease out a clearer understanding of the values and intent of network weaving, if we tempt our imaginations into this fresh, promising new territory, we go further to affirm and generate the kind of world we want to live in together. We affirm that weaving an impactful and resilient change network:</p><ul><li>Is not a contest — it’s more about discerning the right network for ourselves (so we don’t end up like a polar bear in a rainforest), finding our natural place, supporting the flow of nutrients where they need to go, expressing our unique contribution and helping others do all of that as well.</li><li>Means supporting others, whether they’re able to support us or not, serves the overall purpose we’re all trying to promote.</li><li>Requires a lot of different roles, as well as understanding and appreciating the roles that are different from our own.</li><li>Means going beyond developing our own personal relationships, and helping others develop relationships that enhance maximum flow of value throughout the network.</li><li>Requires recognizing and acting on the recognition that there is a limit to how much can be accomplished in a transactional context, and that system change is built on an abundance of relationships across differences.</li></ul><p id="ebb9">Stimulating this kind of understanding and imagination requires many tools and approaches — <a href="https://help.sum-app.net/portal/en/kb/articles/what-is-social-system-mapping">Mapping</a> is the tool Tim and I personally contribute to the puzzle. Powerful, adaptive eco-networks are the shift we’re trying to support.</p><p id="8454">What contributions are you interested in making and to which greater purpose?</p><p id="1780">By <a href="undefined">Christine Capra</a>, March 2018 <i>Originally published at <a href="http://greaterthanthesum.com/not-networking/">greaterthanthesum.com</a></i>.</p><blockquote id="ae3b"><p>In case you liked what you just read and you’re getting value out it, I encourage you to <b>click the 👏 button </b>and <b>hold down to 20–50 claps </b>as this will help concepts and ideas above get more exposure.</p></blockquote><p id="f809"><b>Related:</b></p><div id="5ad0" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/types-of-trust-in-networks-6fd7de879d28"> <div> <div> <h2>Types of trust in high-trust Networks (of Community of Practice kind)</h2> <div><h3>If trust is the glue of a network we can’t have too many honest and authentic discussions about it — by Christine Capra…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*aguSzTEUAI2rFqltiShAgg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="2094" class="link-block"> <a href="https://stories.platformdesigntoolkit.com/7-key-platform-design-principles-d84cc78b9218"> <div> <div> <h2>The 7 Key Principles of Platform Design</h2> <div><h3>To design Strategies that mobilize, in the XXIst Century</h3></div> <div><p>stories.platformdesigntoolkit.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*KBo_EgHlsm5LObwH_20egQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="4106" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/networks-are-not-communities-1df2ac5ac6c4"> <div> <div> <h2>Networks are not Communities</h2> <div><h3>by Henry Mintzberg</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*eeRI3JaIW05lwVvM3DCYnA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="04e6" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/exploring-the-ecosystem-d03b07448b83"> <div> <div> <h2>Exploring the ecosystem</h2> <div><h3>Reflections from the Network Convergence retreat</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*uskvlPFCIMzpSHOxzsPabg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="683e" class="link-block"> <a href="http://workfutures.org/post/178981762658/evolution-of-the-platform-organization"> <div> <div> <h2>Evolution of the Platform Organization</h2> <div><h3>I was recently honored to present a keynote in Qingdao China at the 2nd International Renhanheyi Model Forum, held on…</h3></div> <div><p>workfutures.org</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*8IQVkfRVoJWIJRip)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="4ea5" class="link-block"> <a href="https://newnetworkleader.org/"> <div> <div> <h2>The New Network Leader</h2> <div><h3>Four Network Leadership Principles</h3></div> <div><p>newnetworkleader.org</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*pV3j7vJQJd1GcDGd)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

My Top 5 Must Reads Of the Day#20

And Why I recommend It

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Are you tired of sifting through countless articles on Medium, searching for the ones that truly stand out?

  • Look no further!

I have curated a list of the top 5 must-read articles on the platform.

  • You’ll find five exceptional articles that are sure to captivate your attention and leave you wanting more.

From intriguing concepts to valuable recommendations, each of these articles is a gem waiting to be discovered.

So grab a piping hot cup of your favorite coffee, and let’s embark on an electrifying adventure together as we uncover the crème de la crème on Medium.

This is a My Special Top 50 Must reads

Do you want me to review your article and appear on my top 5 of the day? Let me know in the coments below!!!

  • Table of Content

· Benefits for being part of my Top 5 of the day · Why consider to tip me? ∘ Top 1 Diana Meresc — 5 Habits That Will Help You Enjoy Life More. These habits will help you enjoy life more. ∘ Top 2 Faya Qureshi — An innocent broken wing Butterfly. (Story). Out of the blue, she brought colors into my life. ∘ Top 3 Maureen Murphy — “Franz Kafka Has Joined LinkedIn” ∘ Top 4 Christopher M Bell — How I Increased My Read Count by 500% — And You Can, Too. The Hack: Tagging Your New Followers to Your Articles ∘ Top 5 Tesie Mills — Unlocking Happiness. Finding Joy in Life’s Simplest Elements · Final Thoughts ∘ Writers For Next Edition #21 #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16 #17 #18 #19 ∘ My PreviousTop 5 Must Reads Of the Day · I personally recommend this to my followers

Benefits for being part of my Top 5 of the day

  • Increased visibility: By having your article reviewed and featured on the top 5 list, you’ll gain more visibility and exposure on Medium.
  • Valuable feedback: I will provide you with constructive feedback on your article, which can help you improve your writing skills and produce better content in the future.
  • Credibility boost: Being featured on a top 5 list can enhance your credibility as a writer and position you as an authority in your field.
  • Community engagement: By leaving a comment below, you’ll engage with a community of fellow writers and readers, who may provide you with additional feedback and support.
  • Motivation: Knowing that your article could potentially be featured on the top 5 list can be a great motivator to produce high-quality content and strive for excellence in your writing.

Why consider to tip me?

“If you enjoy the content I create, consider supporting me with a tip.

With your support, I can invest more time and resources into creating even more exceptional content. Your contribution, no matter how small, means the world to me.

Thank you for your kindness and appreciation.”

Top 1

Diana Meresc — 5 Habits That Will Help You Enjoy Life More. These habits will help you enjoy life more.

I recently stumbled upon an article that has truly impacted my life in a positive way.

It’s titled “5 Habits That Will Help You Enjoy Life More” and I highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking ways to improve their quality of life.

Diana Meresc does an incredible job of breaking down simple yet powerful habits that we can incorporate into our daily lives to see the world through a more positive lens.

Support Diana Meresc

  • The first habit listed is to focus on the things that are really important to you.

This may sound like a no-brainer, but I can attest to the fact that we often get bogged down with unnecessary things that we think we should be doing, instead of focusing on what truly brings us joy.

By directing our energy towards the things we love, we can create a life that is more fulfilling and enjoyable.

  • The second habit is to learn from the past and then move on.

This is something that I personally struggle with, as I tend to dwell on past mistakes or situations that didn’t go as planned.

But by accepting the past and using it as a tool to shape our future, we can let go of regret and embrace a more positive outlook on life.

  • The third habit is to stop trying to please everyone.

As Diana points out, everyone sees life in a different way, so it’s impossible to please everyone.

By being true to ourselves and not worrying about the opinions of others, we can live a more authentic and fulfilling life.

  • The fourth habit is to give up the drama.

This is something that I think we can all relate to — it’s easy to get caught up in negativity and create drama out of situations that could be easily resolved.

By focusing on solutions instead of problems, we can avoid unnecessary stress and enjoy life to the fullest.

  • The fifth and final habit is to accept yourself and those around you.

This is perhaps the most powerful habit of all, as it allows us to love ourselves and others unconditionally.

By accepting ourselves and others for who they are, we can create deeper connections and experience more joy in life.

Overall, I highly recommend this article to anyone who is looking to live a more positive, fulfilling life.

Diana’s writing is clear, concise, and impactful, and the habits listed are easy to incorporate into daily life.

Top 2

Faya Qureshi — An innocent broken wing Butterfly. (Story). Out of the blue, she brought colors into my life.

I am absolutely thrilled to share my thoughts on this beautiful story — “An innocent broken wing Butterfly”.

As I read the story, I was captivated by Faya Qureshi’s ability to craft such an intricate tale that not only tugs at the heartstrings but also imparts an important message.

Faya’s use of vivid descriptions paints a picture of the events unfolding in front of your eyes, making it seem as though you are experiencing it in person.

Support Faya Qureshi

The story’s central theme revolves around the significance of empathy and compassion for all living beings, big or small.

Faya masterfully highlights the importance of respecting all forms of life and treating them with kindness, just as we would want to be treated ourselves.

The story takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions, from the initial excitement of finding the butterfly to the heartbreak of losing it.

Faya’s ability to capture emotions and feelings is exceptional.

As I read the story, I found myself relating to the protagonist’s sense of loss and the desire to hold onto something precious.

The narrative’s rawness and authenticity will undoubtedly strike a chord with anyone who has experienced heartbreak.

Faya’s choice of words and sentence structure is impressive and gives the story a poetic quality. The narrative is delivered in a unique style that captures the reader’s attention and leaves them wanting more.

The story’s pacing is perfect, allowing the reader to absorb and experience the events as they unfold.

Overall, I would highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally captivating read.

  • Faya’s skills are nothing short of phenomenal, and she has created a beautiful piece of literature that everyone should experience.

Reading “An innocent broken wing Butterfly” was an unforgettable journey that I am sure I will revisit time and time again.

Top 3

Maureen Murphy — “Franz Kafka Has Joined LinkedIn”

I recently stumbled upon a delightful piece of fiction entitled “Franz Kafka Has Joined LinkedIn,” and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed with the Maureen Murphy’s writing skills.

The story takes place in a dystopian future where the famous author Franz Kafka is struggling to find work and has resorted to job hunting on the professional social media platform, LinkedIn.

Maureen Murphy paints a vivid picture of a Kafka who is overwhelmed by the modern world, and it is easy to empathize with his struggles.

The dialogue is clever and witty, and the interactions between Kafka and the other characters are entertaining and well-crafted.

I found myself laughing out loud at some of the exchanges between Kafka and his neighbor, Mildred O’Malley.

Maureen Murphy’s use of language is also impressive, with a clear and distinct voice that brings Kafka’s world to life.

  • One of the aspects I appreciated most about this story was the underlying commentary on the job market and society as a whole.

Kafka’s struggles to find work and fit into the modern world are relatable to anyone who has experienced the frustration of job hunting or the feeling of being out of place in a rapidly changing world.

The story cleverly weaves in themes of identity, perception, and technology in a way that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Maureen Murphy’s skills are on full display, and the story is a delight to read from start to finish.

Whether you are a fan of Kafka’s writing or simply enjoy a good dystopian tale, this story is sure to captivate and entertain.

Top 4

Christopher M Bell — How I Increased My Read Count by 500% — And You Can, Too. The Hack: Tagging Your New Followers to Your Articles

This article is a true gem for any writer who wants to increase their readership on Medium.

Christopher’s personal experience is an excellent example of how one easy trick can bring a significant difference in the number of article views.

What I appreciate the most about this article is the Christopher’s willingness to share his experience and help other writers achieve success on Medium.

  • New to Medium and want to up take the leap by becoming a Medium Subscriber?
  • Support Christopher M Bell by signing up for a Medium Subscription with this link.

Christopher does an excellent job of explaining the tagging process in a straightforward and easy-to-understand way.

I love the way Christopher has used screenshots to illustrate the process of tagging followers. This article is well-structured and easy to read, making it an enjoyable experience for the reader.

What I find truly impressive about this article is the way Christopher has highlighted the importance of tagging new followers.

It’s a small gesture that can go a long way in building a writer’s audience on Medium. Christopher has provided a valuable tip to writers on how to increase their visibility on the platform, and I believe that any writer who follows this advice will see a significant increase in their readership.

It’s a quick read with an actionable tip that can bring immediate results.

Christopher’s writing skills and the quality of the content are impressive, making it a must-read for any writer who wants to succeed on Medium.

Top 5

Tesie Mills — Unlocking Happiness. Finding Joy in Life’s Simplest Elements

As I read through “Unlocking Happiness: Finding Joy in Life’s Simplest Elements”, I found myself getting lost in the beautiful words and ideas presented by Tesie.

Tesie Mills touches on the idea that true happiness and fulfillment come from within and can be found in the simplest things in life.

Support Tesie Mills

Tesie Mills does an excellent job of explaining how our connections with others, our homes, and our gifts can all be sources of happiness and fulfillment.Tesie remind us that when we nurture these things with love and attention, we create a sacred space that fills us with peace and comfort.

The way Tesie describes our gifts as divine expressions of our inner being is particularly inspiring. She encourage us to practice and hone these gifts, aligning ourselves with the Universe in a powerful way that can bring us endless joy and satisfaction.

But what really struck me about this article is the way Tesie emphasizes the importance of finding inner peace and stillness.

She remind us that by doing so, we open up a channel for the Universe to flow through us and connect with our higher selves.

This idea of discovering a river of pure, positive energy is both beautiful and empowering.

Tesie’s skillful use of language and her ability to convey powerful ideas in a relatable way make this article a truly inspiring read.

It’s a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment are not found in material possessions or external circumstances, but rather in the simple things that make life worth living.

Final Thoughts

The amalgamation of these articles serves up a tantalizing array of perspectives and fascinating insights on a wide spectrum of subjects.

The writers’ unparalleled viewpoints and astute comprehension enhance the conversation and leave a lasting impact.

  • Whether you crave to broaden your intellectual horizons, these articles proffer an unparalleled journey for each reader.

It’s a fruitful endeavor to dedicate your time to savoring the intricacies they unravel and uncovering the pearls of wisdom they hold.

Writers For Next Edition #21

Top 1

Anna Svetlik De La Rosa — How to Overcome Common Barriers to Meditating and Take your Power Back

Top 2

Sameh Neseim — Love is Always Near. Poem

Top 3

Heather N King — So, I Recently Realized That I’m a Writer. A Stream of Consciousness Introduction

Top 4

Melia Morgan — A New Twist On Gratitude Journaling. Add some variety to your usual gratitude list

Top 5

Annouls — What Are You Waiting For?

My PreviousTop 5 Must Reads Of the Day

I personally recommend this to my followers

[I have ashortened the mentions but if you want to know where is yours let me know and i will highlight it if you ask me]

You can also ask me to participate on this top 5

Trisha DINO'S CryptoZoo Timothy George Ashik Timi Promila Kristina Yue Theepak Vikas Gaylon Owen Asiful Diana Erik Curtis C Prakash Millenium Dave A Gray Chrissy Brett P Tyler Boufford Emmanuel Cristian Moneyball raniya Rachael Alex Keanika Julie Jefferson kanchan Gmts Harindha Business_Secret Tiabeiruty JD Nealey Md Mahabubur Artem Stefan Help The Laura Bio-Hacker Diana LMN digital Laurel B. Miller Taras J Seaks Amin Cristian Shannon Pgnelson Brian T. H. Merlin Mbhango Brooke Chang The_Wero Vincent SD Keith Christ Hamza Sheryl DavidSmith Jeremiah Priyanka George Jordan Shana HerPrivateLife Steve B David Cherish Ahmed Monkey Resume Erin M. Sam Maloney Rodoljub Anaya J robert Kat Perry Herry Ciler Liv Balduf Annelise Lords Julius Evans Jeannot Muller Amr Raouf Rustam Jean Davis Clare Nooo look at your shelf Peter Coultas

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