Mathematics Commons^™

Disentangling Discourse: Networks, Entropy, And Social Movements, Ryan Gallagher

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Our daily online conversations with friends, family, colleagues, and strangers weave an intricate network of interactions. From these networked discussions emerge themes and topics that transcend the scope of any individual conversation. In turn, these themes direct the discourse of the network and continue to ebb and flow as the interactions between individuals shape the topics themselves. This rich loop between interpersonal conversations and overarching topics is a wonderful example of a complex system: the themes of a discussion are more than just the sum of its parts.

Some of the most socially relevant topics emerging from these online conversations …