Before revision:  Instead, they assume that beliefs spread independently of one another . Is this a harmless simplification? Or does omitting interdependence between beliefs suppress important dynamics, and change the outcome of social contagion? This paper performs a head-to-head comparison between independent and interdependent diffusion.
After revision:  Instead, they assume that beliefs spread independently of one another ) is to assume that interactions between diffusants have no influence on adoption patterns. This could be true, or it could be wildly off the mark. We've never stopped to find out. This paper makes a direct comparison between the spread of independent and interdependent diffusion.