Hide and seek on complex networks

TL;DR

This paper compares the communication efficiency and robustness of social, biological, and man-made networks, revealing differences in pathway predictability and network resilience.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of various complex networks, highlighting structural features that influence communication and robustness.

Findings

Human networks are predictable but globally inefficient.

The Internet exhibits better communication and robustness.

Biological networks show intermediate properties.

Abstract

Signaling pathways and networks determine the ability to communicate in systems ranging from living cells to human society. We investigate how the network structure constrains communication in social-, man-made and biological networks. We find that human networks of governance and collaboration are predictable on teat-a-teat level, reflecting well defined pathways, but globally inefficient. In contrast, the Internet tends to have better overall communication abilities, more alternative pathways, and is therefore more robust. Between these extremes the molecular network of Saccharomyces cerevisea is more similar to the simpler social systems, whereas the pattern of interactions in the more complex Drosophilia melanogaster, resembles the robust Internet.