The Riot Effect: whether a riot breaks out is contingent on network topology.

· Bits and Bobs 11/4/25
  • The Riot Effect: whether a riot breaks out is contingent on network topology.
    • More formally known as Granovetter's Threshold Model.
    • Imagine that everyone has a riot threshold: a point at which if they see that many people around them rioting, they join in.
      • Some people have a threshold of 1000, some have a threshold of 100, some have a threshold of 2.
    • Imagine someone with a threshold of 2 is next to two friends who are mad about something.
      • They join in and now if there's someone nearby with a threshold of 3 it can kick off.
      • Imagine that same scenario, but the nearest person has a riot threshold of 100.
      • No riot gets going.
    • If they're lined up like dominos then it can catch quickly.