Connecting the Dots: How data, networks, and algorithms shape our world.

by Milán Janosov

We live in the age of connections. Our phones, apps, and other digital tools track everything from our social interactions to our work habits, linking us to networks that shape our daily lives. Through networks, we keep up with friends on social media, enjoy curated content, and use AI to streamline our work. And behind it all is a tremendous amount of data — the backbone of these powerful systems.

Connecting the Dots uncovers how every swipe turns into a data point, which then connects with millions of other data points that are ultimately transformed into powerful insight. By following these data points along their journey, the book reveals how networks — whether social, professional, or technological — emerge, evolve, and sometimes disappear. While the world of networks is vast and often complicated, Connecting the Dots breaks it down with fun and entertaining examples that explore everything from love triangles among the Hollywood elite to the fate of Game of Thrones characters.

At its core, this book is quite literally about connecting the dots — understanding how the constant flow of data feeds algorithms that impact and influence our lives in ways we hardly realize. Whether you’re curious about the science behind viral trends and social media influencers or the networks that shape our cities, this book makes sense of it all in an engaging, relatable way. By the end, you’ll be thinking like a data scientist, seeing networks in every facet of your life and realizing how they can solve problems (and sometimes create problems) that impact us as individuals and as global citizens. Buckle up—this journey into the heart of the digital age is as insightful as it is delightful!

225 pages, Hardcover

Published November 29, 2024

About the author

Milan Janosov is a prominent data scientist with a background in Physics, a PhD in Network and Data Science, and a current focus on Geospatial Data Science. Start-up co-founder, Forbes 30 uner 30 entrepreneur, and public educator. His work has been widely featured in professional, scientific, and popular media, including Towards Data Science, Nature Social Science Research, GQ, New Scientist, New York Times, TechXplore, The Economic Times, Gamestar, and more.

Janosov Milán adattudós és hálózatkutató. Tanulmányait és kutatásait az Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetemen és a budapesti Közép-európai Egyetemen, a bostoni Barabási Laborban és a cambridge-i Bell Labsben végezte. Munkáiról többek között a GQ, a New Scientist, a The New York Times, a TechXplore, a The Times, a Phys.org, a Nightingale és a GameStar is beszámolt.

Reviews

[PamelaJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s no secret that social media and online technologies have reshaped our daily lives, but what makes this book stand out is the author’s approach. Rather than offering strong opinions, the author takes us on a curious and thoughtful journey to uncover the mechanisms behind everyday events, almost like a friend guiding us along. By the end, you’ll see just how deeply data, networks, and algorithms are embedded in our lives—from the tweets we read to the TV shows we binge, and even in art and electronic music.

[Fatime Barbara Hegyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a fascinating journey through the world of data and networks. Milan explains complex concepts in such a clear and engaging way! I loved learning about how data flows and influences our world.
It's an excellent read for anyone curious about the impact of data on our society.

[Réka Tóth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely engaging read! I loved how it explains the way we are surrounded by data and networks. It certainly offers a fresh perspective on the technology around us.