Synchronized Bursts of Productivity And Success In Individual Careers

Abstract

\n Despite a significant understanding of epidemic processes in biological, social, financial, and geophysical systems, little is known about the contagion behavior in individual productivity and success. Here we uncover synchronized bursts in individual productivity and success. We introduce an epidemic model to study the contagion of scholarly productivity and YouTube success. Our analysis reveals the strong influence of network externalities in individual careers. The observed synchronization of individual productivity and success is likely mediated by sustained flows of information within the network.