Part 4/11:
Applying the Forest Model to Human Communication
The core insight is that communication and engagement are mathematical problems—problems that scale exponentially as groups grow larger. When engaging a small group, individual voices are easily heard. As the group size increases, physical and cognitive capacities limit participation—only the most assertive, loud, or senior members tend to be heard.
The solution? Designing systems inspired by the wood wide web: platforms or algorithms that democratize participation, listen to everyone, and reward contribution—ensuring that voices from all walks of life are valued equally.