From: ichudov@algebra.com (Igor Chudov @ home)
Date: Tue, 24 Sep 1996 12:20:15 +0800
To: vznuri@netcom.com (Vladimir Z. Nuri)
Subject: Re: possible solution to cyber S/N
In-Reply-To: <199609231847.LAA29832@netcom5.netcom.com>
Message-ID: <199609232354.SAA00523@manifold.algebra.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text


Vladimir Z. Nuri wrote:
> 
> taking this idea to the cyberspace arena, the application is
> immediately obvious-- pages that are linked to by a lot of 
> other pages are valuable, those that are not are not as
> valuable.
> 

The above is wrong from two standpoints: 

Locally: if my taste is sufficiently different from that of other people,
why should I follow their preferences?

Globally: Vladimir's recommendations lead to a vicious circle of
"tyranny" of popular sites because hte more people view a site, the more
will follow and the site's "attractiveness" rating will go even higher.

It is similar to a recommendation to buy stocks when they are rising.
If enough people follow it, stock crashes like in 1929 are imminent.

	- Igor.