I agree with Diana here. Shirky’s assessment is one that considers “solutions” to the power law problem (although it’s not explicit in the article). I see him basically saying that for the system to have a unique solution to the A-list problem (if it is, in fact a “problem”), the number of ways to evaluate that problem (equations similar to the power law) must equal the number of what is not known, right? If a solution exists, the system is consistent (or so says Huberman). If not, the system in inconsistent (so says Shirky). Like Huberman, Shirky is considering the average behavior of a large number of people rather than the behavior of any individual person. But instead of drawing on the laws of probability to predict and explain, Shirky is drawing on human nature to explain the properties and behaviors of the system.

hope you don't mind a non-student posting a comment, but couldn't resist a note on "blog etiquette'.

It's not only acceptable but recommended that if you have a different view on something, to write it in your own blog and do a trackback to the first blog. Ideally, you'd also include the link to that blog in your first mention (ie. in "ty, your blog about the shirky article...", the word "blog" should link back to his post). Ty can then respond in his own post with a track-back to this post. If you get a good debate going, be sure to reference all the posts (by saying.. "as we said here, here and here" with each "here" being a link to a post)... so later readers can follow the discussion. Of course, it's also fine to keep it all the comments section as well... but the fun part of having a discussion on multiple blogs is that each blog (in the general blogosphere) will often have different readers. You'll get more exposure and more diverse input into the discussion. Anyway, my 2 cents...

Thanks, Jennifer!

I don't see where we are so much disagreeing, except perhaps your reluctance at my use of groupthink: "The act or practice of reasoning or decision-making by a group, especially when characterized by uncritical acceptance or conformity to prevailing points of view" (dictionary.com). This was and is the intent of my using that word, and it happens all over the place. When we act in accordance with what a group (any group) is doing, we are participating in groupthink. If I write an entry that gets lots of response and I want more response and action on my blog, I will probably continue posting along similar lines to connect with the group that has already started responding. I think Shirky describes and defines this point quite well, as does Jennifer chiming in on the appropriate etiquette. I don't quite get the logic or find it necessary to post my own entry (sorry, Jennifer). My point, and I think Shirky's, is that power dynamics are always in fluctuation, and I think that's what you are describing about your anthro class, right?

To Mike's point, while Shirky is offering descriptions and what might be characterized as solutions to perceived problems, I'm not sure that he characterizes the power law dynamic as a problem, but that is certainly shaded by my own resistence to see this or any idea as inherently problematic.