The Fragility and the resilience The Fragility and the resilience of complex systems of complex systems 2/212/21

Watts: Watts: Small WorldsSmall Worlds

Anderson: the Anderson: the Code of the streetCode of the street

Harris: the sacred cow of India.Harris: the sacred cow of India.

Complex systemsComplex systems

Social structures illustrate a dynamic that is Social structures illustrate a dynamic that is currently under intense exploration:currently under intense exploration:A structure of mutually reinforcing and mutually A structure of mutually reinforcing and mutually inhibiting components has a discontinuous inhibiting components has a discontinuous dynamic of expansions and extinctions.dynamic of expansions and extinctions.Sometimes it is extremely resilient to stress, and Sometimes it is extremely resilient to stress, and sometimes it goes through a catastrophic sometimes it goes through a catastrophic collapse from an apparently minor stress.collapse from an apparently minor stress.Finding the “Achilles heel” of Al Quaeda is like Finding the “Achilles heel” of Al Quaeda is like that of destroying KOS in 187.that of destroying KOS in 187.– Destroying the head will probably not do it.Destroying the head will probably not do it.– Driving others into alliance with it will not either.Driving others into alliance with it will not either.– We need to understand its roots and change its We need to understand its roots and change its

environment.environment.

Small Worlds as Complex systemsSmall Worlds as Complex systems

Duncan Watts** Duncan Watts** analyzes social networks, power analyzes social networks, power grids, the WWW, epidemics, the Melissa virus, the grids, the WWW, epidemics, the Melissa virus, the stock market, biological systems, the brain, etc. as stock market, biological systems, the brain, etc. as “small worlds”, clusters in netwrorks.“small worlds”, clusters in netwrorks.

Small WorldsSmall Worlds (1999), (1999), Structure and Dynamics of Structure and Dynamics of NetworksNetworks (2002), (2002), Six DegreesSix Degrees (2003) (2003)– Looking at the architecture by which they are connectedLooking at the architecture by which they are connected– And the dynamics that result.And the dynamics that result.

Model: Milgram’s small world experimentModel: Milgram’s small world experiment

An example of small world An example of small world dynamicsdynamics

We saw that the entire Western portion of We saw that the entire Western portion of the US power grid went down in 1996 the US power grid went down in 1996 when one power line hit one tree.when one power line hit one tree.That happens all the time.That happens all the time.To deal with that the system searches for To deal with that the system searches for alternate routes, searches for alternate alternate routes, searches for alternate sources, and shuts down systems and sources, and shuts down systems and lines that are overloading.lines that are overloading.It was those control systems that caused It was those control systems that caused collapsecollapse

The dynamic of biological The dynamic of biological extinctions: punctuated equilibriaextinctions: punctuated equilibria

Note that the ecological pattern is one of alternation of periods of relative stability with massive extinctions of different sizes. The particular causes vary; the extinction of the dinosaurs may have been due to a meteor; but that extinction was not even one of the larger ones.

Analyzing the dynamicAnalyzing the dynamic

The dynamics of the system would be simple to The dynamics of the system would be simple to analyze if:analyze if:

1.1. There were few connections so that changing one There were few connections so that changing one thing did not affect everything.thing did not affect everything.

2.2. All the feedbacks were positive, so that any change All the feedbacks were positive, so that any change just proliferated.just proliferated.

3.3. All the feedbacks were negative, so that the system All the feedbacks were negative, so that the system was a fixed, functional control system was a fixed, functional control system

But most dynamic systems are complex,But most dynamic systems are complex,like the structure of an authority dealing with like the structure of an authority dealing with several subordinates who do not want to obey.several subordinates who do not want to obey.

The relations between ideas The relations between ideas and social structureand social structure

Anderson and Harris each show that ideas Anderson and Harris each show that ideas and culture do not hang in mid air.and culture do not hang in mid air.Both use anthropological participant Both use anthropological participant observationobservationCulture is created and sustained by social Culture is created and sustained by social relationships. relationships. Culture neither changes nor persists by itself.Culture neither changes nor persists by itself. It depends on the persistence or change of It depends on the persistence or change of the structure on which it is based.the structure on which it is based.

The dynamics of cultureThe dynamics of culture

If the problem is not replacing a person in If the problem is not replacing a person in the role, but getting rid of the role, you the role, but getting rid of the role, you need to understand the social roots of need to understand the social roots of culture.culture.Sometimes culture changes very fast; and Sometimes culture changes very fast; and sometimes it resists change every sometimes it resists change every powerfully.powerfully.Culture is usually a set of small worlds.Culture is usually a set of small worlds.– E.g. the sacred cow E.g. the sacred cow – E.g. the code of the streets.E.g. the code of the streets.

Elijah Anderson:Elijah Anderson:Vice president of ASA 2002Vice president of ASA 2002

Streetwise: Race, Class and Change in an Streetwise: Race, Class and Change in an Urban CommunityUrban Community (1990) (1990)

Code of the Streets: Decency, Violence Code of the Streets: Decency, Violence and Moral Life in the Inner Cityand Moral Life in the Inner City (1999) (1999)..

Topic of symposiumTopic of symposium American Journal of American Journal of Sociology Sociology May 2002May 2002

((Entry to the methodological and substantive findings of urban Entry to the methodological and substantive findings of urban ethnography as possible paper topics)ethnography as possible paper topics)

Groups and Norms along Groups and Norms along Germantown Ave.Germantown Ave.

The head of Germantown Ave. (Chestnut Hill) is The head of Germantown Ave. (Chestnut Hill) is very upper class; and the foot is very lower class.very upper class; and the foot is very lower class.*pp. 366-7 shows the same structure of Lancaster *pp. 366-7 shows the same structure of Lancaster Ave. from ghetto poverty to the “main line.”Ave. from ghetto poverty to the “main line.”The head is characterized by a norm of civic The head is characterized by a norm of civic politeness; the foot by “rep” or “juice.”politeness; the foot by “rep” or “juice.”The head is white; the foot is black.The head is white; the foot is black.Is this an example of institutional racism?Is this an example of institutional racism?

Structures that make the code of Structures that make the code of the streets crazy in Chestnut Hillthe streets crazy in Chestnut Hill

Some Chestnut Hill residents see most blacks Some Chestnut Hill residents see most blacks from down town as very “rude.”from down town as very “rude.”Where does that behavior come from?Where does that behavior come from?Anderson argues that down town, showing that Anderson argues that down town, showing that you are “bad” and that anyone who “messes you are “bad” and that anyone who “messes with you” is “asking for trouble” is adaptive.with you” is “asking for trouble” is adaptive.If you behave that way in Chestnut Hill, people If you behave that way in Chestnut Hill, people will look at you as though you are crazy, and will look at you as though you are crazy, and you may be arrested.you may be arrested.Anderson argues it is like a language, a code.Anderson argues it is like a language, a code.

Situations and structures making Situations and structures making resisting the code of the streets resisting the code of the streets hard at the foot of Germantown hard at the foot of Germantown

Ave.Ave.Similarly, if you behave, downtown, in a Similarly, if you behave, downtown, in a way that would work and would be way that would work and would be appropriate in Chestnut Hill, people will appropriate in Chestnut Hill, people will look at you as though you are a turkey, look at you as though you are a turkey, and take advantage of you.and take advantage of you.

But in Chestnut Hill being “nicey-nicey” But in Chestnut Hill being “nicey-nicey” signals status, class, kindness and signals status, class, kindness and character.character.

e.g. #1 The Story of Robert: e.g. #1 The Story of Robert: Small business and Old HeadsSmall business and Old Heads

““When I was dealing, I was treated as a When I was dealing, I was treated as a king, and no one messed with me.”king, and no one messed with me.”““When I follow the rules, I am in a dead When I follow the rules, I am in a dead end, everyone steals from me and every end, everyone steals from me and every petty bureaucrat dumps on me.”petty bureaucrat dumps on me.”The view of the “old heads” in Mantua is The view of the “old heads” in Mantua is that they are suckers and pathetic Toms.that they are suckers and pathetic Toms.Why?Why?

““Old Heads”Old Heads”In In StreetwiseStreetwise Anderson argued that the social Anderson argued that the social disorganization of Mantua stemmed from the loss disorganization of Mantua stemmed from the loss of status of the “old heads.”of status of the “old heads.”i.e. those people who had played by the rules and i.e. those people who had played by the rules and who had been able to get good jobs in the period who had been able to get good jobs in the period 1969-1973,1969-1973,were the “last hired” (in 1969-73); and so they were the “last hired” (in 1969-73); and so they were “first fired” (in 1972-81).were “first fired” (in 1972-81).Anderson argues that this was not just tough luck Anderson argues that this was not just tough luck for them, but a catastrophe for the community for them, but a catastrophe for the community and a disaster for the society.and a disaster for the society.Similar debates concern whether street venders Similar debates concern whether street venders are a crucial role model and escape hatch for are a crucial role model and escape hatch for urban youth.urban youth.

Why Does the city discourage Why Does the city discourage venders?venders?

In the overall structure of power and influence, In the overall structure of power and influence, people like Robert are at the bottom.people like Robert are at the bottom.

The city department that issues and enforces The city department that issues and enforces vendor licenses is mainly responsive to vendor licenses is mainly responsive to storeowners that regard Robert as a nuisance.storeowners that regard Robert as a nuisance.

What are the main priorities of the police?What are the main priorities of the police?

Anderson suggests that no one with any power or Anderson suggests that no one with any power or influences is particularly interested in having influences is particularly interested in having Robert succeed; but his success is key to who Robert succeed; but his success is key to who wins the battle between the “street” and “decency”wins the battle between the “street” and “decency”

Example #2: the story of TyreeExample #2: the story of Tyree

Tyree’s Grandmother - “decent folk.”Tyree’s Grandmother - “decent folk.”

The ‘bols’The ‘bols’

Tyree’s situation.Tyree’s situation.

Tyree’s solution.Tyree’s solution.

The Outcome of Tyree’s solution: He is The Outcome of Tyree’s solution: He is now in a gang, fighting in the street; and now in a gang, fighting in the street; and hanging around with the worst people.hanging around with the worst people.

Why doesn’t he “Just Say No”Why doesn’t he “Just Say No”

The structure does not insure that every The structure does not insure that every person joins a gang; certainly not with person joins a gang; certainly not with commitment, but commitment, but – It insures that enough do so that the structure is It insures that enough do so that the structure is

reproduced.reproduced.– Those not in a gang, get it from all sides.Those not in a gang, get it from all sides.

““Not an option?” Well, not quite. But there is Not an option?” Well, not quite. But there is a special role for those who have no group.a special role for those who have no group.– They are losers; they are bullied; they are They are losers; they are bullied; they are

cowards; they are turkeys.cowards; they are turkeys.

The structure of alternatives means that the The structure of alternatives means that the constrained choices reproduce the structure. constrained choices reproduce the structure.

How do group and institutional How do group and institutional structures get inside one’s head?structures get inside one’s head?

1.1. If you lived at the foot of Germantown If you lived at the foot of Germantown Ave. would you join a gang? Why? Or Ave. would you join a gang? Why? Or why not?why not?

2.2. If you were Hindu, would you feel real If you were Hindu, would you feel real loathing for cow-killers. Why? or Why loathing for cow-killers. Why? or Why not?not?

3.3. If you worked at Auschwitz would you If you worked at Auschwitz would you gas Jews? Why? or why not?gas Jews? Why? or why not?

The Persistence of Culture: a The Persistence of Culture: a third anthropological examplethird anthropological exampleDo ideas and cultural systems persist, out Do ideas and cultural systems persist, out of inertia.of inertia.

What are the dynamic structures of What are the dynamic structures of persistence?persistence?

What groups, activities and rewards come What groups, activities and rewards come into play?into play?

Harris’ “Cultural Materialism”Harris’ “Cultural Materialism”

Marvin Harris: Marvin Harris: Cows Wars, Pigs and Cows Wars, Pigs and Witches.Witches.Thesis:Thesis: no element of culture persists no element of culture persists without reasons without reasons These reasons usually have to do with These reasons usually have to do with class, economic and ecological structures.class, economic and ecological structures.Food (pigs, dogs, cows, people) are Food (pigs, dogs, cows, people) are exceptionally clear examples.exceptionally clear examples.

The “sacred cow” of IndiaThe “sacred cow” of India

The cow has been sacred for 2,000 yrs.The cow has been sacred for 2,000 yrs.Only “untouchables” butcher or eat cows; Only “untouchables” butcher or eat cows; cow-killing produces an even more cow-killing produces an even more powerful reaction than murder.powerful reaction than murder.Most Indian food is cooked in butter-fatMost Indian food is cooked in butter-fatNearly 100,000,000 foraging cows are Nearly 100,000,000 foraging cows are everywhere.everywhere.Even cow dung is used and is treated as Even cow dung is used and is treated as pure.pure.

Is the sacred cow a “sacred cow?”Is the sacred cow a “sacred cow?”

In the West a “sacred cow” is usually used as an archetype of irrational, hidebound, superstitious traditionalism.

The Rockerfeller viewThe Rockerfeller view

Millions of people starve while millions of Millions of people starve while millions of cows are protected by religious superstition.cows are protected by religious superstition. Avoiding cow-killing is:Avoiding cow-killing is:

1.1. Inefficient,Inefficient,2.2. Wasteful,Wasteful,3.3. Superstitious,Superstitious,4.4. Traditionalism Traditionalism • India needs capitalist agriculture like the USIndia needs capitalist agriculture like the US

Problems with that explanation, Problems with that explanation, according to Harrisaccording to Harris

Millions of Indian villages have destroyed their Millions of Indian villages have destroyed their livelihood.livelihood.A A sustainablesustainable economy must preserve the land economy must preserve the land and the population,and the population,unlike the commercial farming that created the unlike the commercial farming that created the dust bowl.dust bowl.Killing a cow creates one feast for one family in Killing a cow creates one feast for one family in the short run, and disaster for the community in the short run, and disaster for the community in the not very long run.the not very long run.Even when a cow is too old to calf and is past Even when a cow is too old to calf and is past milking, it is crucial to the ecology.milking, it is crucial to the ecology.

Harris’ explanation:Harris’ explanation:

700,000,000 tons of cow manure per year are 700,000,000 tons of cow manure per year are crucial to preventing ecological disaster.crucial to preventing ecological disaster.

The non-cow-owners have a particularly strong The non-cow-owners have a particularly strong motive for saving even an old cow.motive for saving even an old cow.

Unless we look at the social and ecological long Unless we look at the social and ecological long run dynamics, we cannot understand present run dynamics, we cannot understand present arrangements or suggest reasonable changes.arrangements or suggest reasonable changes.

Mixture of functionalism and conflict theoryMixture of functionalism and conflict theory

But why make the cow sacred?But why make the cow sacred?The cultural rules that preserve the society as a The cultural rules that preserve the society as a whole – particularly those that require that whole – particularly those that require that people act in the public interest – usually take people act in the public interest – usually take this form.this form.Bargaining over when to kill which cows could Bargaining over when to kill which cows could never preserve the society.never preserve the society.For all cows to be sacred for all Hindus can and For all cows to be sacred for all Hindus can and did preserve the society.did preserve the society.For Harris maintaining the sacred cow is crucial For Harris maintaining the sacred cow is crucial to avoiding famine, ecological disaster and to avoiding famine, ecological disaster and social collapsesocial collapse