Working Through Hierarchies

What exactly is a hierarchy?

• A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.• What are examples of hierarchies?

Military, social media, conventional media, educational institutions, governments, corporations, religion, law• Reflection of social behavior• Power structure

New School Hierarchy

• Student• Admissions• Housing• Financial Services• Advising• Academic Affairs• Student Activities• Student Senate

• Administration• Faculty• Schools• Departments• Majors• Skills, crafts

How might hierarchies constrain us?

• Abuse of power• Forced behavior• Surveillance• Favored treatment toward certain individuals• Classism• Economic divides

How might they help us?

• A functioning body of individuals working toward a larger goal• High productivity• Power in numbers• Transparency• Individuals held to particular responsibilities• Social networks

Network vs. Hierarchy

• What is a network?• How are they different now than from 20 years ago? How has digital

technology changed this?• How do social media networks affect hierarchies?

• We live in an increasingly globalized world with ever-growing hierarchies. This makes sense as human population and consumption of resources soars. It is dire to try and understand hierarchies and networks so that we can reshape them and make them as fitting for our current needs as possible. It is part of an evolution of a planet and species.

• How can we use our personal networks/hierarchies to strengthen and benefit the health and longevity of our environments?