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This page contains all of the posts and discussion on MemeStreams referencing the following web page: Visualizing MemeStreams. You can find discussions on MemeStreams as you surf the web, even if you aren't a MemeStreams member, using the Threads Bookmarklet.

Visualizing MemeStreams
by Rattle at 8:51 pm EST, Jan 3, 2003

I guess I should make some comments about these, considering I made them.. :)

Before anyone sends me any feedback, please keep in mind, whats posted here is my proof of concept. Infact, if you look at the second graph, you notice its datasource is labeled "yeah.stat". That should indicate the half-assed mannor in which they came together. I must admit, I hope these don't make it out to a large audience (just watch, this is what gets us Slashdotted), because they are not up to my standards. I know, I know.. Release early, release often.. I heard you Eric..

I'm working on a new version of my graphing scripts that will do a number of things these didn't, such as using colors to convey link properties and topic information. I'm backed up with a bunch of work, so it may take a while.

There is one minor error in Decius's description. This graph does not take topics into account at all. I threw out all that information when generating these. The links do convey direction, so thats why some nodes have two links between them. If I wasn't throwing out topic information, there would be a number of nodes with over 6 links connecting them. [Update: Little unclear here. The dot graph dosen't take into account topics, other one does. My error..]

Expect the next set of graphs to look very different.

I would like to see people discuss the privacy ramifications of these graphs, as they see them. Since these graphs are generated using the most private of information, users reputation tables, I would like to see a discussion about this. Everyone involved with MemeStreams can easily be described as a "privacy zealot", so we are concerned, and we are listening.

In particular.. In this format, when private information is aggerated, does it become statistical information that can be desiminated without infringing on user's privacy? And can anyone think of a way that an individual user's reputation information could be mined from this graph?

RE: Visualizing MemeStreams
by Decius at 11:25 pm EST, Jan 3, 2003

Rattle wrote:

] Before anyone sends me any feedback, please keep in mind,
] whats posted here is my proof of concept.

I think the graphs are very interesting regardless of the polish level.

] There is one minor error in Decius's description. This graph
] does not take topics into account at all. I threw out all
] that information when generating these. The links do convey
] direction, so thats why some nodes have two links between
] them. If I wasn't throwing out topic information, there would
] be a number of nodes with over 6 links connecting them.

So why then, in the power-law graph, are there nodes with over 300 inbound links?

] In particular.. In this format, when private information is
] aggerated, does it become statistical information that can be
] desiminated without infringing on user's privacy? And can
] anyone think of a way that an individual user's reputation
] information could be mined from this graph?

I don't think there is anything you can learn from this that you wouldn't learn from careful analysis of the blogs. I think this only gets sketchy if you start revealing who is who...

Tom

RE: Visualizing MemeStreams
by Rattle at 4:14 am EST, Jan 4, 2003

Decius wrote:
] I think the graphs are very interesting regardless of the polish
] level.

The dot one is very cool...

] So why then, in the power-law graph, are there nodes with over
] 300 inbound links?

...this one is seriously flawed. I am pretty sure that one is using topics. I am in error.

Your description is correct. My bad.

] I don't think there is anything you can learn from this that
] you wouldn't learn from careful analysis of the blogs. I think
] this only gets sketchy if you start revealing who is who...

I agree. I just figure its a good idea to bring up the privacy topic wherever appropriate in relation to this. Why not? It makes people thing about it.

Visualizing MemeStreams by Decius at 6:37 pm EST, Jan 3, 2003
Some very interesting graphs of the social network on MemeStreams.
Link - Reply

Visualizing MemeStreams
by Dr. Nanochick at 4:06 am EST, Jan 4, 2003

Some very interesting graphs of the social network on MemeStreams.

[/me stares in awe. So very rad looking. So interesting on many levels. -Nano]