Explore the far-reaching impact of social networks in this video from Niall Ferguson’s Networld. Why do “birds of a feather flock together” and how do echo chambers reinforce our prejudices? Learn about how scientists study networks on social media and their findings of how these networks tend to polarize society. Support materials ask students to analyze their own networks and discuss the value of exposure to opinions different than their own.

Niall Ferguson’s Networld is based on Ferguson’s bestselling book The Square and the Tower. Ferguson visits network theorists, social scientists, and data analysts to explore the history of social networks. Ferguson explores the intersection of social media, technology, and the spread of cultural movements, demonstrating how human behavior, disruptive technology, and profit can energize ideas and communication, ultimately changing the world.