Diffusive Spreading in Nature, Technology and Society

The book explores the fundamental laws that govern the spreading and diffusion of objects, including molecules, humans, brain tissue, and ideas. It discusses how understanding these laws can help us tackle the spread of pandemics, rumors, and languages. The second edition of the book includes timely coverage of the global fight against COVID-19 and targets an interdisciplinary readership.

Format: Hardback
Length: 517 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The movements of molecules and the migration of humans share several fascinating similarities. Both involve the dynamic interaction of individuals or groups with their environment, driven by a range of factors such as attraction,repulsion,and social dynamics. Just as molecules move through a fluid or a crowded space,humans navigate through social networks, cultural landscapes, and physical environments.

The functionality of our brain tissue can be likened to the flow of traffic in New York City. Just as the city's roads and highways are designed to efficiently move people and goods from one place to another,our brain networks are optimized for information processing and communication. Neurons, the building blocks of the brain, communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals, allowing us to think, learn, and remember.

Understanding the spread of ideas, rumors, and languages can help us tackle the spread of a pandemic in several ways. Firstly, it can provide insights into the mechanisms by which information spreads, such as social networks, media, and human behavior. By analyzing these mechanisms, we can develop strategies to mitigate the spread of misinformation and promote accurate information.

Secondly, understanding the spread of ideas can help us identify and address the root causes of social and cultural divisions. By promoting empathy, understanding, and respect for different perspectives, we can create a more inclusive and resilient society that is better equipped to respond to pandemics and other challenges.

Thirdly, understanding the spread of languages can help us develop effective communication strategies for public health campaigns and other initiatives. By using language that is accessible, culturally sensitive, and relatable, we can ensure that our messages reach a wider audience and have a greater impact.

This book provides an illuminating look into these seemingly disparate topics by exploring and expertly communicating the fundamental laws that govern the spreading and diffusion of objects. A collection of leading scientists in disciplines as diverse as epidemiology, linguistics, mathematics, and physics discuss various spreading phenomena relevant to their own fields, revealing astonishing similarities and correlations between the objects of study—be they people, particles, or pandemics.

This updated and expanded second edition of an award-winning book introduces timely coverage of a subject with the greatest societal impact in recent memory—the global fight against COVID-19. Winner of the 2019 Literature Prize of the German Chemical Industry Fund and brainchild of the international and long-running Diffusion Fundamentals conference series, this book targets an interdisciplinary readership, featuring an introductory chapter that sets the stage for the topics discussed throughout. Each chapter provides ample opportunity to whet the appetite of those readers seeking a more in-depth treatment, making the book also useful as supplementary reading in appropriate courses dealing with complex systems, mass transfer, and network theory.

Weight: 1073g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031059452
Edition number: 2nd ed. 2023