Sociology Undergraduate Association at UCLA
  • Home
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Blog
  • Join

The Sociological Imagination: zombie apocalypses and social networks

1/19/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture

BY: JAMES WANG | JANUARY 19, 2014

Ever watch one of those movies where some horrific disease starts and rapidly spreads across the entire planet?

Think Rise of the Planet of the Apes or the numerous zombie apocalypse movies in existence. In fact, in the movie Contagion, the origin of a mass pandemic is traced back to a single person through their social networks. In these cases, the disease is spread out biologically, but also through social ties. The mad researchers continuously tampering with forces beyond their comprehension inevitably end up infecting their co-workers, lackeys, friends, and family, who will then pass it on to others. Social networks play a large role in everyday life, but often get overlooked. Just look to Durkheim’s views. Durkheim stated that society is unified through the relationships its parts—the people—possess. Without the social networks we possess, the civilized world could come crashing down harder than any pandemic could cause.

Consider how you got into UCLA. Who aided you? Where did you go for guidance? Within your social network lie different sorts of ties that answer this question. We possess ties of varying strengths: those of weak ties and strong ties. Through our strong ties, we gain support and resources; through our weak ties, we gain access to new information. As sociologist James Coleman stated in the 1966 Coleman Report, it is a student’s background and socioeconomic status that are important in determining educational outcomes. Those with parents who have a wider social network and possess strong ties with high-status individuals find situations easier to manage—and mountains easier to scale. Weak ties, instead, grant access to more existing opportunities. The end result is that social networks and ties are the tools people use to navigate through the social world.

Suppose the end of humanity and dawn of the zombie apocalypse were upon us. Are there those that would help you survive the downfall of man, or would there be those that bring doom and gloom to rain down upon you? Even then, consider other individuals that persons in your network know, but you may not know; they too can have an effect on your life. Consider your social networks and ties, and consider what fruits, good or bad, they may bear. 


Want to share your thoughts on an interesting sociological topic? The Sociological Imagination is always on the lookout for guest contributors. We would love to hear your thoughts on a wide range of issues, from contemporary events and campus life to other musings. Simply submit your blog post to bruin.sua@gmail.com with your name, major, and year, and you might just be our next guest contributor!
1 Comment
youtube bot link
1/12/2016 02:33:40 am

For example, they may help interact with children involved in an activity, encourage play, or help with schoolwork. This approach can be called a "peer network."

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    SUA

    We're sociology nerds. Have something to contribute? Post in the comments or email us! bruin.sua@gmail.com

    Archives

    May 2015
    April 2015
    October 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Categories

    All
    Academia
    Alternative Cultures
    Ariel Hsieh
    Bechdel Test
    Celibacy Syndrome
    Crime
    Criminal Justice
    Degrees Of Separation
    Donkey Sex
    Education
    Event
    Facebook
    Feminism
    Game Theory
    Gender
    Government
    Hollywood
    Income Upshot
    Iron Law Of Oligarchy
    James Coleman
    James Wang
    Jeopardy
    Labeling Theory
    Leisure Culture
    Miley Cyrus
    Nepal
    North Korea
    PEW Internet Project
    Racism
    Reddit
    Restorative Justice
    Robert Michele
    Sir Ken Robinson
    Small World Phenomenon
    Social Activism
    Social Networks
    Socioeconomic Status
    Stanley Milgram
    Stephanie Jl Tan
    Sujin Oh
    Superheroes
    TED Talks
    Ties
    Tiffany Neman
    Travel
    Twitter
    VICE
    Walt Hickey
    White Privilege
    Work Culture
    Zombie Apocalypse

    RSS Feed

Powered by
✕