Behind the Scene: Open Source Software as Both a Tool and a Topic for Research

Explore a comprehensive lecture from the Santa Fe Institute examining open source software's dual role as a research tool and subject, with researcher William Schueller from Complexity Science Hub Vienna. Delve into the ubiquitous nature of open source software across technology - from mobile devices and automobiles to banking systems, healthcare infrastructure, and even Mars missions. Understand how scientific knowledge production increasingly depends on open source solutions, while examining the challenges of volunteer-based development and its potential vulnerabilities. Learn about systemic risk modeling in software ecosystems, data collection methodologies, and critical considerations for scientific software development and usage. Gain insights into the complex network of interdependencies within open source software and its implications for the digital economy through this 37-minute presentation that bridges computer science, complex systems theory, and scientific research methodology.