How tech companies are interconnected

Another endlessly fascinating info-graphic highlighted at Nathan Yau's outstanding site, FlowingData.com

Nathan introduces the network diagram like this:


"Sarah Kessler and Nick Sigler examine the interconnectedness between major tech companies. I think this might be the beginnings of a tech version of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon."

The diagram shows major tech companies as circles. The diagram would be a lot more interesting if the diameter of the circles was proportional to market capitalization. The connections between the circles are people who have started in one company and then left to launch another. Mergers and acquisitions are also shown. 

I think Nathan missed the mark slightly with his Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon analogy. In the movie world, talent rotates between projects. Opportunity for interaction between people with all types of skills is very high. Meanwhile, the tech world is reliant on the visionary talent of a relatively few brilliant entrepreneurs who, enabled by armies of loyal engineers, compete against their peers to meet the demand of curious masses who, for the most part, do not even know how to set the clock on their DVR. 


I can go to the theater and watch a Kevin Bacon movie, but I can't explain half the features on my smart phone. It's getting harder to stay on the high side of the digital divide!


Get a closer look here: How tech companies are interconnected