Synchronized bursts of productivity and success in individual careers

Abstract

AbstractNotwithstanding a significant understanding of epidemic processes in biological, social, financial, and geophysical systems, little is known about contagion behavior in individual productivity and success. We introduce an epidemic model to study the contagion of scholarly productivity and YouTube success. Our analysis reveals the existence of synchronized bursts in individual productivity and success, which are likely mediated by sustained flows of information within the networks.