4H. Summary:

The above definitions and concepts are admittedly difficult to study. For instance, how do we measure a relationship between cities? What is the stuff of a relationship? A measurement of the origin and destination of every e-mail sent and phone call made for a single day would create a good picture of relationships between cities. However, that is one variable and measuring such variables might constitute an insurmountable task.

How one intends to use information about cities determines the required degree of precision. My intention is to create a lens from which to view the world. Most of these concepts and questions warrant chapters, perhaps books, unto themselves. At this early stage, superimposing onto cities concepts that are normally reserved for familiar organisms will direct our understanding toward the development of a methodology that allows us to focus on an area of the world that I find particularly interesting: The Indian Ocean.