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Having studied the dynamics of cascades in complex systems, this Columbia sociologist and network scientist argues that the most damaging ones are impossible to anticipate. The solution, therefore, may be to make systems less complex to start with, in order to reduce the chance that any one part can trigger a catastrophic chain of events. In the financial system, this means preventing companies from growing too big to fail in the first place.

How does the structure of social networks affect the way fads catch on and companies solve problems? Columbia University network scientist Duncan Watts says that this young field is on the path to answers.