02557cam a22003853u 4500 50766 UtSlPG 20260610134151.0 m cr n 260607r2015||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS MacLean, Katherine, 1925-2019 The Snowball Effect Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2015 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Galaxy Science Fiction September 1952. Release date is 2015-12-25 Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "The Snowball Effect" by Katherine MacLean is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The book explores the concept of social dynamics through the lens of organizational growth, using a fictional university scenario to illustrate its themes. It probes the mechanisms by which small groups can grow exponentially and the unintended consequences that ensue from such growth. The story follows Mr. Halloway, the president of a university, as he engages with Professor Caswell, head of the Sociology Department, over the department's relevance and financial viability. Caswell's unique mathematical theories delve into the patterns of organizational growth, which he refers to as the "snowball effect." They decide to test this theory using a local sewing circle as an experimental group, instilling the elements of self-interest and recruitment to observe its expansion. As expected, the group grows rapidly and evolves into a more powerful organization, the Watashaw Mutual Trade and Civic Development Corporation, ultimately spiraling out of control and threatening to dominate society. This narrative serves as a thought-provoking examination of human motivation, ambition, and the complexities embedded in social structures. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Short stories United States -- Fiction Universities and colleges -- Fiction Sociology -- Fiction Emshwiller, Ed, 1925-1990 Produced from Galaxy Science Fiction September 1952. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50766 91604 91604