Networks and Our Limited Information Horizon

Abstract

In this paper we quantify our limited information horizon, by measuring the information necessary to locate specific nodes in a network. To investigate different ways to overcome this horizon, and the interplay between communication and topology in social networks, we let agents communicate in a model society. Thereby they build a perception of the network that they can use to create strategic links to improve their standing in the network. We observe a narrow distribution of links when the communication is low and a network with a broad distribution of links when the communication is high.