Vocabulary

As I am not a native English speaker and Networks topic is quite new to me, I have decided to create a list of terms in this field of knowledge that I shall be operating throughout the duration of this module. I hope it will help me to be more professional and aware of the issues I will be looking at.

It will be a constantly updated list with some of the terms mentioned on the lesson by my tutors or taken out from the essential reading.

networks- an extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support. It can be centralized (hierarchical), decentralized (collaborative) or distributed.

networkers- a person who uses networks to interact with other people working within the same/similar area

weak-ties- a connector who you barely know/relate to, eg your friend's colleague's partner


strong-ties- a connector who has a close relation to you, a family member or a close friend

node- a person that represents a link/a connection within the network

super node/super connector- a person who has a wide range of connections

80/20 principle- also known as the "Pareto Principle"; a pattern in which 20% of people are believed to do 80% of work, generate 80% of ideas and own 80% of wealth

cluster/hub- a link between two people within a common interest in a certain field

viral- from a word "virus"; a technique or process that uses social networks to achieve specific goals

groupthink- a situation in which people related to each other are prone to have the same or similar point of view (should be avoided in order to success)

to corroborate- support with evidence or authority/make more certain or confirm

Zeitgeist- the attitude/general outlook/spirit of the time; the spirit characteristic of an age or generation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

Today's Talk: David Wolfe & Catherine Moellering

Yesterday my course mate Sabrina invited me and Georgia to join her for today's talk at LCF. I thought I'd take the advantage of it since it was about fashion and S/S 2013 trends and especially since I haven't decided on a topic for my project yet.

First part of the talk was presented by David Wolfe- the creative director of The Doneger Group. I really enjoyed it as basically what he did was highlight the emerging trends that will settle in for Spring/Summer 2013 and beyond. To avoid boring overload of text I have created a mood board and used some bullet points to sum up the most important things addressed during the lecture.

PAST IS PRESENT: Multi-decade Mashup

'20s drop waist at the hipline

'50s elegant silhouettes

'60s swinging shift shapes

'70s hot pants and funky ethnic prints

'80s glitter

'90s grunge

fabrics and prints: sheers, lace, leopard, zebra, geometrics

FAST FORWARD FASHION: Science Meets Style

architectural and technological influences in design and materials

non-seam form, non-retro design, active wear influences

modernized complex design, shimmering surfaces, 100% synthetic

TIMELESS COLOUR: Past + Future = Present

metallics: golden and silvery

bold brights: eye-popping combos

softened pastels: almost neutral tints

white light: the "new black"

true blues: navy, ultramarine, cobalt, sapphire, turquoise

fruity oranges: pumpkin, mango, melon

Perhaps the only thing I could really relate to networking was the following quote of William Gibson: "The future is here... it's just not very well distributed" Connections, distribution, aim... It does make sense, doesn't it? But even if there was no directional link with my current module, I was still pleased to visit the lecture because the knowledge gained might come handy for my personal blog about fashion. Thank you, Sabrina, for inviting me along!

Image sources:

http://www.holierthannow.com/entries/2011/3/15/new-lengths-neither-here-nor-there.html

http://usafashiontrends.com/2011/hot-pants-hotness-reviews

http://cdn.fashion.allwomenstalk.com/wp-content/thumbs/111/500.jpg

http://www.purseblog.com/savvy/diane-von-furstenberg-leopard-print-beach-tote.html

http://uk.specials.lifestyle.yahoo.com/style-it-light/dress-up-detail/monochrome-geometrics-4251

Raymond M. Forecaster's Book

"In networks, we find self-reinforcing virtuous circles. Each additional member increases the network's value, which in turn attracts more members, initiating a spiral of benefits."

Here are some important points taken from M. Raymond Forecaster's Book Chapter Four "Network Forecasting" that I shall give more attention to:

• Weak-ties vs Strong-ties in networks
• The rule of diversity in networks
• The 80/20 principle
• Hierarchical networks
• Distributive networks 

These, hopefully, will help to keep me focused and get my work done. While I still haven't decided on a particular topic for my research, I will keep my eyes open and post whatever interesting related information I find on this blog.

Raymond, Martin (2003), The Trend Forecaster's Handbook.

Five Commitments

In mind with the inspirational quotes from my previous post, I would like to begin with putting together the list of my general commitments for this module:

• to not leave things for the last minute
• to use all the opportunities that are available to me
• to devote more time to an independent learning
• to balance studies, motherhood and housekeeping better
• to work on my self-confidence and become a better presenter

These, hopefully, will help to keep me focused and get my work done. While I still haven't decided on a particular topic for my research, I will keep my eyes open and post whatever interesting related information I find on this blog.

Module Introduction: Networks and Connectivity

Here is a quote to keep me generally inspired and motivated throughout the current module:
“It is not enough to do your best; you must know what to do, and then do your best.” 

W. Edwards Deming

This brings me towards a more specified quote by the same author about the network subject, while both make a perfect sense in relation to each other:

“A network is a system of interdependent components that work together to try to accomplish the aim of the system. This system must have an aim. Without the aim, there is no system.”

Both quotes above sum up the core idea of the new module quite well on my opinion. It is important to understand the purpose of something and set up your goals in the first place in order to success in what you do/investigate.