By the Board 2025 | Better Together | Grace Graves

A phone mounted in the air on a selfie stick

As we celebrate important milestones in our lives - birthdays, baby showers, weddings and more– we invite those we love to share the moments with us, but what do our guests see and experience at our events? Through the use of Collective Intelligence with the help of the Lense Disposable Camera App hosts can instantly capture everyone's point-of-view and experience their event through their guests’ eye, capturing unique and unforgettable memories.

As we navigate the world of advancing technology and its impact on our ability to form and maintain relationships, we are all integrating technology into our everyday lives, even when we aren’t looking for it. Apps like the Lense app, offer a glimpse into the formerly untapped power of collective intelligence networks in action.

Collective Intelligence is a system or series of systems where individuals contribute their knowledge, abilities, and resources to create something that is larger and more impactful than they could have created on their own. These systems, or networks, are simple, but can become complex depending on the desired outcome. The main reason for the variation is that they rely on the ability of the individual who comes from diverse backgrounds to be able to effectively communicate, share information and ideas, solve problems, innovate and ultimately contribute to a single end goal – that can get complicated really quickly, but it doesn't have to. By aligning individuals to accomplish a single goal, networks can grow and individuals become more confident and creative.

The Lense app mentioned above is designed to replace the disposable camera and event photographers by distributing responsibility for photographing an event to those in attendance who, let’s be honest, are already taking photos and oftentimes have better angles and points of view than any hired photographer could get.

The Lense app is a unique connection point for the guests at an event to not only attend, but become a part of the event. Guests scan a QR Code which opens the Lense app on their device. Once opened, a digital disposable camera is displayed with a fixed number of photos available on it. All participants then become part of the network as their photographs are collected and cataloged for the event host to enjoy. 

Lense provides a new perspective and pathway to participation in the event space. It exemplifies how Network Theory principles can transform even the most intimate of gatherings into a vibrant, collaborative experience.  

Network Theory, as described by the Network Theory Applied Research Institute on their website NTARI.org is a structure and behavior of interconnected systems that consist of people, ideas, and technologies that become more powerful when nodes (individuals or entities) are connected in meaningful ways. The potential of any network lies in its ability to share resources, exchange information, and solve problems collaboratively.

When a wedding photographer photographs a wedding, they have an objective and a set of photos they intend to take. Typically, you as the person hiring the photographer have an idea of what to expect and come out more-or-less satisfied with the product. But with a system like the Lense App, where every guest at your event is a photographer, you receive the end result and leave astounded at the creativity, and uniqueness of every guest's perspective. 

Lense allows hosts to give guest parameters such as the number of photos per guest which helps ensure guests are intentional with each photograph and are not just using a fire and forget method of photographing which we often do with the feeling of unlimited space we have on our phones. 

By using the collective intelligence method of photographing events, guests feel a sense of contribution and participation in your event instead of just attendance.  

Lense is just one example of how apps rooted in network theory can foster collaboration and enhance human experiences. Here are some of the broader benefits:  Efficiency, diversity, and connection. By leveraging collective intelligence the process of collective, archiving and reviewing photographs becomes streamlined. The diversity that comes from allowing each guest to take a set number of photos leads to results with more depth and uniqueness. By contributing to the shared goal of making an album for the host, guests feel more connected to each other and the host of the event.  

The success of Lense is just the beginning in the rise of Collective Intelligence applications. As we realize the benefits of working together, highlighting and utilizing each other's strengths and creating community experiences, the possibilities are endless. We will see the continued growth of network theory and the collaboration of communities to co-create value. The Lense app is a reminder that even in the digital age, our greatest strength is in the networks and communities we build together. 

Learn more at https://lense.app/ and www.ntari.org 

-- Grace Graves

Grace Graves is Secretary of the Board and co-founder of the Institute. Grace served in United States Marine Corps communication strategy and operations, is a graduate of Sullivan University and is certified in public affairs and combat correspondence by the Defence Information School.