As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, network science is proving to be a useful tool for understanding those connections. Network science is used regularly to do the following:
- Predict and prevent the spread of contagious diseases
- Evaluate and improve the electric grid, road network, and other infrastructure networks
- Understand the economics of international trade
- Understand the spread of information on social media
The preceding applications might give the impression that network science is an important tool for improving society, and it absolutely can be. However, the powerful techniques of network science also raise important ethical questions. Network techniques can be used to infer information about individuals—such as their political party or sexual orientation—without that individuals consent. Similarly, network...